As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, intensifies its grassroots engagement strategy across Osun State, election stakeholders have been charged to take greater responsibility for ensuring credible elections.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, gave this charge during a series of stakeholders’ meetings held in Osogbo, Ede North and Ede South local government council areas on Wednesday.
Addressing participants drawn from political parties, transport unions, security agencies and civil society organisations, Dr Agboke emphasised that the credibility of the electoral process depended largely on collective adherence to electoral guidelines.
He stressed that no candidate would be declared winner without securing the mandate of voters.
“Nobody will win any election in Osun State without the votes of the people,” he said.
The REC explained that the decision to hold meetings across all local government areas was aimed at engaging stakeholders within their respective communities.
He described the election as special and called for a united approach among stakeholders to ensure a peaceful outcome.
According to him, “such decentralised consultations were necessary for effective planning and coordination.
“Election activities must be jointly handled by all stakeholders to guarantee success.”
As part of measures to strengthen accountability, he disclosed that all ad-hoc staff engaged for the election would be required to sign an affidavit of commitment to service before deployment and warned that any breach of the oath would attract prosecution.
Agboke also cautioned electoral officers, including presiding officers and collation officers, against tampering with results.
“Election matters are serious and should only involve individuals committed to democratic development.
“We will trace any altered result to the responsible official, and such a person will be arrested and prosecuted,” he stated.
He extended similar warnings to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW, urging them to refrain from partisan activities during the election period.
According to him, “INEC would collaborate with the union strictly in its organisational capacity. A situation room would be established to monitor compliance on election day.”
The REC disclosed that the Commission had been dealing with misinformation since his assumption of office, but insisted that such challenges would not derail preparations for the Osun governorship polls.
Security agencies also used the forum to reassure stakeholders of adequate arrangements to maintain peace before, during and after the elections.
In their welcome address, electoral officers highlighted areas of concern within their jurisdictions, including locations prone to overcrowding, drug-related activities and thuggery, particularly in parts of Ede North, calling for targeted security interventions ahead of the polls.
