Osun Election: Observer Group Decries Intimidation Of Women By Thugs At Polling Units

A non Governmental Organization, Justice Development and Peace Makers Centre (JDPMC) has berated the way women were threatened, by political thugs, during the just concluded gubernatorial election in Osun State.

According to JDPMC, no fewer than seven number of incidents were received from Citizens and Stop Violence Against Women In Politics Community mobilisers across the state.

Recall that JDPMC, a Faith-based Charity, Non-Political, and Not-for-profit Organization set up a Stop-VAWIP Case Tracking and Response Center to ensure women participation in the politics.

Addressing newsmen at a press conference at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp NSCDC headquarters in osogbo, Osun State capital, the JDPMC Program Officer, Veronica Ene Onoja, said there were reported cases, where women were prevented from voting for the candidate of their choice by suspected political thugs.

“There are numbers of incidents recorded: such as preventing women from voting for the candidate of their choice by Political thugs, Inducement, vote-buying and selling among others

“Party agents influencing women’s voters’ choice, disruptions of polling units activities, destruction of women and men’s ballots after casting of votes.”

JDPMC however commended the women for turning out massively just as it lauded the professional conduct of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It also praise the smooth and peaceful conduct of the electorate attributing the secured election to security agencies, such as NSCDC, police and other security agencies.

“Women’s turnout was very impressive compared to 2018 election due to the professionalism conduct by Independent national electoral commission.”

It however, appealed to the newly elected governor of osun state to sustain and consolidate efforts on the implementation of osun women policy and youth agenda.

CityMirrorNew reports that the program was organised by Justice Development And Peace Makers Centre in collaboration with Nigeria Security and civil defense corps and vote not fight campaign team and it aimed at developing comprehensive and sustainable response mechanism for survivors of violence against.