Sam Philip
In lest than 48 hours to the off-circle gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Yiaga Africa has charged Independence National Electoral Commission(INEC) and security agencies covering the election on integrity test.
Briefing journalists on the pre-election reports of the organization, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, Chair for the 2024 Ondo Election Mission, Yiaga Africa, tasked all security agencies that would be on duty during the election to carry out their legitimate duties without being partial to any political party.
On the expectations of the people, Mr. Nwagwu urged INEC to ensure election materials arrive early at all polling units.
He said: “We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enhance coordination and communication with the transport companies and unions that provide logistics support.
“It is essential to ensure the timely delivery of materials to the Registration Area Centers (RACs) and to facilitate the early deployment of materials and personnel to polling units on election day.
“This approach will help to address the issue of late commencement of polls that has been observed in previous elections.”
Yiaga Africa urged security agencies on duty on the election day to arrest anyone caught engaging in vote-buying and selling for prosecution to stamp out the menace.
Mr. Nwagwu said: “We encourage security agencies to strictly enforce laws and regulations against voter inducement, vote-buying, ballet box snatching and other electoral malpractices. Arrest and prosecute individuals and groups found engaging in illegal activities.”
Nevertheless, Yiaga condemned violent attacks in the some towns in the Northern senatorial district and in Idanre local government in the central senatorial district of the state.
It therefore encouraged the electorate to troop out and cast their vote to elect their governor without fear, enjoining them to shun inducement of any sort