Osun 2022 Election: CSOs Partner INEC To Educate Voters At Grassroot

By Oluwakemi Owoeye, Osogbo

Ahead of the gubernatorial election coming up in Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC and Civil Society Organisations) organised a day interactive programme to foster peace and boost inclusive election at the grassroots.

Mr Ndidi Okafor, the Deputy Director of CSO/INEC, while speaking at the programme tagged “One-Day Discourse By INEC/CSO For Peaceful Osun Governorship Election”, in Osogbo, explained that the gathering is geared towards having peaceful election in the state.

“Our gathering here is to mobilize stakeholders to help us step down messages of peace and inclusive election to grassroot.

“The objective is to have a peaceful election, to have an inclusive governorship election and reduce, if not a completely eliminated, invalid votes.

“But we understand that the people should be educated so that they can make very clear choices.

“we want to reduce invalid votes. The Commission wants to see increased participation of elidible citizens and we are enlightening citizens in Osun State who have registered and have not collected their PVCs to do so because they need their PVC to be able to vote on the day of election.

“We have come with the message of peace and inclusion, messages to the people not to sell their vote because it’s their right.

“If you sell your vote, then you don’t have moral rights to make demands anymore from those you elected.

“You can no longer ask them to be accountable to you, so we have come to the good people of Osun to come out on the election day and peacefully cast their votes.

“You know the popular words, “vote, don’t fight,” Election is not a war. We brought this message and we are the society/ groups that are closer to the people to help relate this messages to the grassroot.” Ndidi said.

Mr Lucky Ayoola Balogun, the Head of Department, VEP of INEC, while educating the electorate said there was the need for continuous voters’ education in a bid to have desired results.