Osun 2018 Governorship Election: CSO commend INEC over Preparation

A Civil Society Group known as the Centre for Public Accountability (CPA) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its preparedness towards the Osun State governorship elections, scheduled for the 22nd September 2018.

The group while giving a report of its assessments of preparations by INEC and other stakeholders ahead of the election, gave commendation to the management of INEC, led by Professor Yakubu Mahmood, as it called on every stakeholders in the electoral process, to support the INEC in ensuring that the Osun governorship election is credible, free and fair.

CPA in a statement issued in Osogbo, Osun State capital and signed by its Executive Director, Olufemi Lawson, also lauded the commitments of INEC, under Professor Mahmood, towards improving the capacities of its personnel, and ensuring strict compliance, with the laws, guiding the conduct of elections in the country, as it asserted that Nigerians are becoming more confident, in the capacity of INEC, towards delivering free and fair election, as Nigeria prepares for the 2019 General elections, which eventually will further entrench the nation’s democracy.

“We have no doubt about the determination of the INEC, towards engaging the citizens, in taking ownership of the electoral process, and also promoting positive engagements with critical stakeholders, in every aspect of plans, towards delivering credible elections, at all times.” the statement read

The group also warned politicians, against actions that can mitigate against the conduct of free and fair election, while also admonishing them to desist from moves that may corrupt ad-hoc staff, security agents and other personnel, who are being engaged by INEC, for the election.

On the ban on the use of mobile phones during the election, the group said it endorsed the decision of INEC, to ban mobile phone at voting cubicles, a decision, which the group said, will drastically reduce the ugly trend of vote buying, which is gradually becoming a norm, during elections in the country.

Credit: Olufemi Lawson Akindele