The Electoral Hub has urged all stakeholders, political parties, candidates, civil society organizations, and voters to collectively commit to a process that promotes electoral integrity and democracy ahead of the Ondo state governorship election.
In a press statement on the pre-election signed by the Director, IRIAD- The Electoral Hub, Princess Hamman-Obels, also called on all stakeholders and people of Ondo state to protect and safeguard the integrity of the election.
She said Nigerians should learn from past experiences and work towards an outcome that truly represents the will of the people of Ondo State.
“This election represents a critical juncture in our democratic journey, and it is essential to reflect on the recent Edo State election while setting clear expectations for the upcoming Ondo election.
“The Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024, showcased both the strengths and weaknesses of our electoral process.
” One of the most encouraging outcomes was the functionality of the Bi-Modal Voters Accreditation System (BVA S) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) which allowed for a seamless voting process as well as real-time monitoring of election results.
“Additionally, the election highlighted an increase in voter awareness and engagement. Many citizens took to social media and community forums to discuss candidates and issues, indicating a growing interest in political participation and awareness.
“However, the Edo election was not without its challenges. Reports of irregularities and allegations of electoral misconduct raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
“These issues must be addressed to restore public confidence in our democratic institutions.
“Furthermore, the lack of transparency in the collation process led to skepticism among voters regarding the legitimacy of results. This reveals the need for enhanced monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
” Instances of violence and intimidation during the election raised alarms about voters’ safety, emphasizing the need for improved security measures in future elections.
“We express concerns over the recent harassments of the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola. There are allegations questioning her impartiality due to her supposed ties to Ondo State.
“While INEC has firmly stated that Mrs. Babalola is not from Ondo State and that it is against their policy to deploy RECs to their states of origin, we urge all stakeholders to refrain from making unsubstantiated allegations that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
“Instead, any legitimate concerns should be addressed through appropriate legal and administrative channels. The focus must remain on issue-based discussions rather than personal attacks on election officials.
“As one of the accredited observers for the election, The Electoral Hub would monitor the electoral process and observe pre-election, election-day, and post-election activities with a focus on electoral accountability framework.
“The electoral accountability framework is anchored is rooted in the understanding that effective electoral governance alone does not guarantee good elections, because a “complex variety of social, economic and political variables affect the process, integrity, and outcome of democratic elections” ,” she said.