The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters and political stakeholders that only the votes cast by the electorate will determine the outcome of the June 20 Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election.

Speaking at a stakeholders' meeting in Okitipupa on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Dr. Mutiu Olaleke Agboke, said the Commission had put all necessary measures in place to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

Agboke disclosed that 673,446 registered voters across 1,354 polling units and 66 wards in six local government areas are expected to participate in the poll.

He said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (iReV) would be fully deployed to guarantee transparent accreditation and real-time result management.

The REC revealed that 1,359 BVAS machines had been configured and certified for use, while 264 backup devices had been set aside to address any technical challenges on election day.

He added that over 5,400 ad hoc officials would be deployed for the exercise, while sensitive and non-sensitive election materials had been received and distributed in line with the Commission's guidelines.

Warning politicians and their supporters against violence, vote-buying and other electoral offences, Agboke said security agencies had activated a comprehensive election security plan for the six local government areas in the senatorial district.

"We shall not allow Ondo South to be a theatre of violence and impunity," he said, urging parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to promote peaceful conduct before, during and after the election.

The INEC chief also disclosed that four political parties — APC, APM, APP and Boot Party — would participate in the bye-election.

He urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), shun vote-selling and come out peacefully to exercise their civic responsibility.

"Nothing will determine the winner other than the votes of the people," Agboke declared.

The bye-election is being conducted to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of former Ondo South senator, Jimoh Ibrahim, as Nigeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.