15th November, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
As prospective voters in Ondo state prepare to elect the next state Governor, Yiaga Africa has urged all stakeholders to collaborate to make the election a model for other off-cycle elections, by showcasing collective commitment to democracy and peaceful coexistence.
Yiaga Africa’s Chairman of the 2024 Ondo Election Mission, Ezenwa Nwagwu, who gave the urge on Thursday in Akure.
He charged called on INEC, political parties, security agencies, CSOs and the media to do their best to avoid the shortcomings observed in the 2020 governorship election in the state.
“We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure that the shortcomings observed in the 2020 Ondo governorship elections are adequately addressed before the Governorship election, especially regarding logistics.
“INEC should ensure efficient management of all logistical arrangements, including distributing election materials and setting up polling units, for instance, addressing logistics challenges observed in the riverine communities of Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs during the 2020 Ondo gubernatorial elections.
“INEC should ensure proper and timely communication with stakeholders on the election day process, communicate challenges experienced, and share immediate plans to address those challenges to inspire citizens’ confidence in the process,” he said.
Nwagwu further charged NEC ad hoc staff to make the electoral process accessible to all persons with disabilities by ensuring that the polling unit set-up is done in a manner that is accessible to voters with disability.
The Yiaga Africa Director called on security agencies to work closely with INEC to ensure coordinated and efficient logistics management and deployment, timely communication, and collaboration to address any security challenges that may arise.
He also urges security the various agencies to remain impartial throughout the voting and the results-collation process and to deploy operatives early enough to manage the security of election personnel and electoral materials in the elections.
“We encourage security agencies to strictly enforce laws and regulations against voter inducement, vote-buying, ballot box snatching and other electoral malpractices, arrest and prosecute individuals and groups found engaging in illegal activities,” he stated.
Nwagwu added: “Political parties, candidates, and their supporters should show commitment to electoral accountability by respecting the rules governing the conduct of the elections, refraining from deploying violence, and winning the election at all costs.
“Political parties, candidates, and their supporters should refrain from offering material incentives and vote buying to voters. Instead, focus on presenting clear and compelling policies that address the electorate’s needs and concerns.
“We encouraged our CSO partners and election observers to maintain active communication with the Electoral Commission to share findings, recommendations, and concerns and to collaborate with INEC to enhance the credibility and transparency of the election.
“Yiaga Africa calls on the media to ensure objective and balanced reporting on the electoral process. Avoid sensationalism and disseminating unverified information that could incite violence or unrest.
“We call on voters in Ondo to encourage peaceful behaviour, discourage violence or intimidation and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
“Yiaga Africa urges voters to resist efforts to purchase their votes, turn out in large numbers, and vote according to their preferences on Saturday, November 16.”
