Election stakeholders have been tasked with taking on more responsibility to ensure legitimate elections as the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, steps up its grassroots engagement plan throughout Osun State.
Dr. Mutiu Agboke, the state’s INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, issued this directive on Wednesday during a series of stakeholder meetings in the local government council areas of Osogbo, Ede North, and Ede South.
Speaking to attendees from political parties, transportation unions, security services, and civil society organizations, Dr. Agboke emphasized that collective adherence to election rules was crucial to the legitimacy of the electoral process.
He emphasized that no contender would be proclaimed victorious without winning the support of the electorate.
“In Osun State, no one will win any election without the people’s votes,” he declared.
The REC clarified that the purpose of the decision to have meetings in every local government area was to include stakeholders in their particular communities.
He urged for a coordinated effort from all parties involved to guarantee a peaceful conclusion and referred to the election as unique.
“Such decentralized consultations were necessary for effective planning and coordination,” he stated.
“All parties involved in an election must work together to ensure its success.”
He revealed that all ad hoc employees hired for the election would need to sign an affidavit of commitment to duty before to deployment as part of steps to improve accountability, and he cautioned that any violation of the oath would result in legal action.
Agboke also issued a warning to election officials, such as collation officers and presiding officers, about manipulating the results.
Only those who are dedicated to the advancement of democracy should be involved in election affairs because they are serious.
He declared, “We will track down the responsible official for any altered results, and they will be detained and prosecuted.”
He sent similar cautions to National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) members, asking them to abstain from partisanship during the election season.
He stated that “INEC would strictly cooperate with the union in its organizational capacity.” To keep an eye on compliance on election day, a situation room would be set up.
The REC revealed that the Commission had been dealing with false information since he took office, but he maintained that these difficulties would not interfere with the Osun governorship election preparations.
The conference was also utilized by security services to reassure interested parties that sufficient plans were in place to keep the calm before to, during, and following the elections.
Election officials called for targeted security interventions prior to the polls in their welcome address, highlighting areas of concern within their jurisdictions, including regions prone to overcrowding, drug-related activities, and thuggery, particularly in parts of Ede North.
