Ondo Guber: Rec Tasks Electoral Officers On Voter Education
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Ondo State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, has urged Electoral Officers in the State to create massive awareness and educate voters in their respective Local Government Areas to raise the bar of credibility in the upcoming Governorship Election in the State, on 16th November, 2024.
The REC, who delivered this message on Tuesday, 9th July, 2024 at an Implementation Meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where the Commission’s Voter Education and Publicity Strategies were discussed, emphasised that effective participation of citizens in election is crucial for the credibility of the polls.
Addressing the Eighteen (18) Electoral Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs Admin) cum Voter Education Desk Officers at the LGAs, (VEDOs) the Hon. REC noted that “for an election to be considered free, fair, credible and inclusive, citizens must be able to participate in it adequately and easily adding that they must be sufficiently equipped with the requisite information to enhance their participation.
She stressed that all hands must be on deck to ensure that voter enlightenment is taken to the grassroots, enable voters understand their roles, rights, and responsibilities in electoral activities and deepening democracy.
Mrs. Babalola charged the participants to emulate the Commission which had consistently demonstrated its commitment to developing and sustaining structures that support the deepening of democratic practices, and continue to raise the bar of credible elections in Nigeria.
The Director, Voter Education and Publicity Department, Mrs. Mary Nkem outlined the objectives of the meeting, saying the public depends on the Commission for information regarding the electoral process to help them not only to participate in concert with extant guidelines and regulations but to reaffirm their confidence in the readiness and ability of the Election Management Body (EMB) to conduct free, fair, credible, inclusive and acceptable elections.
She explained that the meeting would enable participants identify potential challenges or obstacles that might arise during the implementation process and to address these issues proactively ahead of time.
The State Director for the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Adelayo Adefalalu represented by Mr. Akinde Babatunde commended the Implementation Meeting stating that it is crucial and vital for the conduct of the election.
The Director NOA reechoed that all hands must be on deck because all eyes are on Ondo State hence they must get it right to change the people’s perception and mindset towards the electoral process.
