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NETNOS Speaks On OSSIEC’s Readiness Towards Feb 22 LG Polls In Osun, Gives Recommendations

Network of Non-Governmental Organizations in Osun State (NETNOS) has said it has been observing the activities on the preparedness of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) and its Network for the February 22 local government elections in the state, stating that prompt release of election timetable provided ample opportunity for key stakeholders to prepare adequately for the success of the process.
The President of NETNOS, Olusesi Micheal Ebofin in a pre-election statement he issued on the preparedness of OSSIEC and NETNOS towards the 2025 council polls, noted that local government elections in Nigeria serve as the foundation of democracy, bringing governance closer to the people.
In the statement Ebofin signed and issued on Tuesday in Osogbo, he said “These elections determine the leadership of local councils, which are responsible for providing basic services, implementing development projects, and addressing community-specific issues.”
Ebofin said, “OSSIEC as the electoral umpire in the state is expected to conduct free, fair, credible, inclusive and conclusive election in collaboration with relevant stakeholders which include Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), security agencies, media practitioners, traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of pressure groups and the electorate.”
Making recommendations, the NETNOS president asked OSSIEC to consider making use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the February 22 local government elections in the state.
According to Ebofin, BVAS is one of the workable means of ensuring fairness, credibility, transparency and acceptability in elections, and thus, recommend its use in the forthcoming local government elections.
He warned against weaponising of poverty through vote-buying, urging electorate not to trade their votes as they go to polls.
Ebofin encouraged Stakeholders including Inter-Party Advisory Council, OSSIEC, media organizations and other relevant groups to carryout effective political education which must target voters at grassroots and urban communities on the need for them to shun vote trading.
Stressing the need for politicians to desist from weaponisation of poverty, Ebofin said, “We appeal to IPAC, OSSIEC, media outfits and relevant groups to embark on effective political education, which must target the voters at grassroots and urban communities, to reverse the trend of vote trading, which is becoming a tradition in every election.”
“There is urgent need for voters enlightenment on the poverty-recycling process of vote buying, which only gives politicians the authority to further worsen voters’ economic conditions,” he added.
While calling for active participation of youth, before, during and after the polls, the NETNOS president strongly advocated for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the electioneering process.
According to him, “OSSIEC is expected to include PWDs in the process and make adequate provisions for them which include accessible polling units, lenses for albinos and assistance for visually impaired persons.”
While charging political parties to actively engage in voter mobilisation to address the trend of diminishing voter turnout, Ebofin called on security agencies to deploy sufficient personnel during the elections and to also arrest vote buyers and sellers and respect rights of citizens, media and observers.
He noted that the current administration of OSSIEC is showcasing “great level of improvement in operations”, urging the commission to sustain the gains recorded during successful elections in Osun.
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