EU And IPC Call On INEC To Enhance Trust Among Voters Ahead Of Ondo Poll

EU And IPC Call On INEC To Enhance Trust Among Voters Ahead Of Ondo PollThe European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN) and the International Press Centre (IPC) have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to foster citizens’ trust in the electoral process through transparency and timely, accurate communication. This appeal was made during a two-day workshop titled “Effective Communication in the Electoral Process: Communicating with Empathy and Expertise,” held in Ikogosi Ekiti, Ekiti State, for INEC staff in preparation for the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The workshop, organized by IPC in partnership with DAI and the Centre for Media Society, aims to enhance Nigeria’s electoral process. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, emphasized that public trust in INEC is essential for the acceptability of elections. He stressed that this trust can be cultivated by providing accurate, timely, and accessible information.

Arogundade stated, “Clear and transparent communication is vital for building trust with the electorate, ensuring that citizens are well-informed about the electoral processes and addressing any arising concerns. From our work on elections, we have identified a significant level of mistrust towards INEC. Effective engagement with the electorate can help restore this trust, which is crucial.”

He also urged political parties involved in the Ondo governorship election to adhere to the rules to ensure a peaceful electoral process, warning that any violence instigated by their supporters would hold the parties accountable. Arogundade encouraged registered voters in Ondo State to actively participate in the election, reminding them that their engagement is essential for shaping their governance.

“Your responsibility is to elect the government you desire. If the majority abstain from voting, a minority will decide your fate for the next four years. Additionally, I urge voters not to sell their votes; no amount of money can resolve your issues. It’s crucial to vote according to your conscience,” he advised.

Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, highlighted that the workshop would enhance the communication skills of INEC staff, positively impacting public confidence in the electoral process. She assured attendees that INEC is committed to conducting a credible, free, fair, inclusive, and transparent governorship election where every vote counts.

Babalola stated, “We are prepared and actively engaged in voter education through various channels, including mass media and grassroots mobilizers, and we are collaborating with civil society organizations. We have organized several workshops with different groups, including security agencies, youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

“We have an adequate supply of bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) machines, which will automatically upload results from polling units to the INEC election result viewing portal. We promise that every vote will count, and we encourage citizens to come out on election day. Voters must not sell their votes, as doing so jeopardizes their future for temporary gain. Our agencies are equipped to combat vote-buying and ensure integrity in the electoral process.”

Babalola further noted that INEC has already distributed non-sensitive materials to various local government areas and will continue to ensure that all necessary materials are available for the election.

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