Religious leaders task INEC on flawless guber election in Ondo

Religious leaders in Ondo State on Thursday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a hitch-free election during the forthcoming November governorship poll in the state.

While advising that all necessary technologies and human capacity should be deployed for the poll, religious leaders admonished that the menace of vote-buying and violence must be prevented.

According to the Chairman of Leagues of Imam in the state, Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe, during an interactive session with religious leaders and faith-based groups in the state organised by INEC, stiffer punishment should be enforced for anyone caught engaging in electoral malpractices.

Aladesawe, who stressed the need for the country to be sanitised of its electoral system to be devoid of malpractices, stressed that politicians must learn how to play the game by the rules to ensure the growth of the nation’s democracy.

He said, “Politicians and youths should also abstain from hooliganism. We all know what is right, and if we can do the right thing, there will not be room for controversy.

“Don’t tarnish your opponent’s image; canvass for votes through your blueprint program and not through destruction. Vote trading should be discouraged outrightly.”

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in the state, Anslem Ologunwa, who was represented by Victor Adeola, said that INEC had been proactive but urged politicians to also educate their followers to ensure peaceful conduct of the election, saying the election should not be a do-or-die affair.

Ologunwa harped on the need for INEC to ensure a peaceful election, urging the electoral body to be fair and transparent and ensure the votes of the electorate count.

He said, “We have to work towards peace in the land with the forthcoming election. We have been educating our followers. We want reassurance from INEC that it will be fair and transparent in the election.”

On her part, the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the electoral body would continue to engage the electorates on the issue of vote buying to eradicate the menace.

“Our goal is to change the orientation of the electorate through education and engagement. INEC does not participate in vote-buying or selling, and we strongly encourage the political class not to tempt voters with such inducements.

“We are actively working with security agencies. INEC has an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), where agencies like the ICPC and EFCC are vital members.

“These agencies are fully involved in our discussions and have informed us of the measures they are putting in place to curb vote-buying.

“Both the ICPC and EFCC are on the ground and ready to play their role in reducing the spread of vote-buying during the elections. We are confident in their capacity to do their best in tackling this issue.”