We’re committed to conducting free, fair governorship election in Ondo: INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission has reiterated its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Ondo State on November 16.

The state’s resident electoral commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola, made a commitment at a Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Dialogue Session on the Ondo State governorship election in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ms Babalola said the commission was fully aware of its duty to conduct a free and fair election and had put proactive measures in place to actualise this.

“I wish to state that INEC in Ondo State is fully geared up for the conduct of the 2024 governorship elections scheduled to hold on November 16, 2024,” Ms Babalola stated.

She said the state, with 18 local government areas, has 2,0531,061 registered voters, adding that INEC had distributed 61,919 permanent voter cards (PVCs).

According to her, the commission has been partnering with the media to engage citizens on voter education and sensitisation to reduce voter apathy and build their confidence.

Ms 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 (BVAS) 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.

“Our resolve in the state is that polling units will open early while election officials will wait for voters and not the other way round,” she said.

According to Ms Babalola, accredited observers groups are expected to report any irregularity or breach of the election process without interfering in the process and procedures.

The REC, however, said the observers could escalate issues that were critical on election day through a dedicated INEC Situation Room hotline.

Speaking earlier, Yanusa Ya’u, convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), said as observers, their mission was not limited.

“We are committed to doing everything possible within the limit of our resources and endowments to contribute to that process.

“For us, we see INEC as a partner in the democratisation process, but we will not shy away when we see lapses, particularly when we see lapses that consistently occur in the conduct of elections in this country,” Mr Ya’u said.

(NAN)