Don’t repeat shortcomings of Edo election, CSOs tell Ondo REC

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) preparing to observe the Ondo State 2024 election scheduled for November 16 on Thursday urged the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola not to allow a repeat of the shortcomings of the process in Edo state.

They made their positions known in Abuja during the Situation Room Dialogue Session with the Ondo State REC and the Police ahead of the 2024 governorship election in the State supported by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Speaking, Situation Room Convener, Y.Z Ya’u noted that the gathering was convened to allow observers to identify areas of weakness, and challenges and draw the attention of relevant agencies so that remediation can take place.

“Some of us are already on the ground in Ondo state. They have observed what is happening, and they have detailed information. This would allow us to share both from the perspective of INEC and also from the perspective of civil society organizations that are on the ground in Ondo state and observing things for us and generally for the country.”

Ya’u who advised the Ondo state REC to conduct an election that will redefine the electioneering process of the country, informed her that Citizens were not happy with the conduct of the Edo state governorship election, which he insisted fell short of what should be considered to be threshold of free credible elections.

“Some of the things that we saw in Edo states fell short of what we considered to be threshold of free credible elections,” Ya’u said.

“We hope that lessons have been learnt from that process and corrections would be made to ensure that election in Ondo State would be one that we will all come and celebrate that we have got it right.”

Responding, Babalola said that the commission was fully aware of its duty of conducting a free and fair election in the state and had put proactive measures in place to actualise this.

She said the state, with 18 local government areas, has a total of 2,0531,061 registered voters, adding that INEC had, as of date, distributed 61,919 additional permanent voter cards PVCs

According to her, the commission had been engaging the media to engage citizens in voter education and sensitisation, reducing voter apathy and building their confidence.

Babalola said she had also held meetings with some civil society organisations and paid advocacy visits to traditional leaders to discourage youths from engaging in violent acts.

The REC added that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System would be deployed in all the 3,933 polling units in the state, stressing that transportation arrangements and security collaboration were also in top gear.

“I wish to state that INEC in Ondo State is fully geared up for the conduct of the 2024 governorship elections scheduled to be held on November 16, 2024.

Babalola said that the commission was fully aware of its duty to conduct a free and fair election in the state and had implemented proactive measures to achieve this.

She said the state, with 18 local government areas, has a total of 2,0531,061 registered voters, adding that INEC had, as of date, distributed 61,919 additional permanent voter cards PVCs

According to her, the commission had been engaging the media to engage citizens in voter education and sensitisation, reducing voter apathy and building their confidence.

Babalola said she had also held meetings with some civil society organisations and paid advocacy visits to traditional leaders to discourage youths from engaging in violent acts.

“I wish to state that INEC in Ondo State is fully geared up for the conduct of the 2024 governorship elections scheduled to be held on November 16, 2024.

The dialogue Session provided an opportunity for civil society groups preparing to observe the election to interact with the REC and the Police, and to address some of the issues that may arise during the November 16th election.

The meeting also enabled stakeholders to deliberate on the political environment in the State and agree on strategies to engage the process and promote a peaceful and credible governorship election in 2024.