In a bid to boost voter turnout and inclusivity in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through The Electoral Institute (TEI) organized a roundtable discussion in Akure.
The event, held on October 15, 2024, brought together stakeholders to brainstorm on effective strategies for enhancing voter participation and inclusivity in the November 16, 2024, election.
Key Issues Addressed
Professor Hassan Saliu, National President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), presented a paper highlighting critical issues affecting voter participation, including:-
Electoral atmosphere and campaigns focused on personality rather than people-centered issues
Economic hardships and geography-related challenges.
Godfatherism and internal party wranglings
Gender insensitivity and poor accountability of leaders.
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Ondo, Toyin Babalola, identified additional factors contributing to poor voter participation, such as:-
Insecurity and violent tendencies
Logistics problems_ and perception of late polling station openings
Vote buying and economic hardships
Recommendations and Way Forward
The roundtable discussion yielded several recommendations, including:
1. Sustained SMS mobilization for PVC collection in INEC’s 221 Registration Area Centers and 18 Local Government Areas.
2. Engagement through cultural associations and traditional institutions, considering the election’s timing during the harvesting period.
3. Reducing militarization and policing to improve voter perception.
4. Enfranchising security personnel and election officials by allowing them to vote 24 hours before election day.
5. Sensitizing voters on their right to recall elected officials.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Professor Adele Jinadu, Member Board of the Electoral Institute (BEI), and Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, Director-General of The Electoral Institute. The discussion aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders, including civil society organizations, NGOs, and cultural and religious bodies, to address electoral challenges and promote inclusive participation in the Ondo State governorship election.
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