Osun 2018: INEC Committed To Free, Fair Inclusive Poll- REC

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Ahead of the September 22 gubernatorial election in Osun, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje has assured the people of the state that the electoral body was committed to conducting a free, fair and inclusive election.

Mr Olusegun Agbaje, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Osun state

He made the pledge at a one day sensitization forum for Media Executives and Reporters on the conduct of Osun State Governorship Election on Wednesday in Osogbo.

Agbaje who was represented by the Head, Voter Education Department, Mr Stephen Ojewande that the commission would use this Osun gubernatorial election to show the ability of the electoral umpire to organise a free, credible and acceptable election

Reeling out voters statistics, he said the registered voters in the state stood at 1,682,495, while PVC collected was 1,213,026 and uncollected stood at 463,186.

Also the number of Local Government Areas according to him is 30,numbers of registration Areas is 332,voting points 755 and polling units 3,010

The Commissioner also noted that Osun Election would be used to send a very strong message to vote buyers and sellers and as well as other perpetrators of criminal acts.

The commission also promised to ensure adequate security during the election.

INEC Chairman , Prof Yakubu Muhamood who was by the Chief Press Secretary to the National Chairman of INEC, Mr. Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, enjoined Journalists to be conflict sensitive in their reportage of elections.

Muhamood who promised a level playing ground to all the political parties however charged the media practitioners to always the principle of objectivity, fairness and accuracy in their reportage.

The one day sensitisation was funded and supported by the USAID and UKaid in its goodwill message promised to continue to support INEC for the Commission to continue to organize free, credible and acceptable election as it has always done since its birth in Nigeria in 1998.