Network of Non-Governmental Organizations in Osun State has asked the State Independent Electoral Commission to consider making use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System in the February 22 local government elections in the state....Read Full Article >>➤
This was suggested on Tuesday in Osogbo by the President of NETNOS, Micheal Ebofin in a pre-election statement he issued on the preparedness of OSSIEC and NETNOS towards the 2025 council polls.
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. ...Read Full Article >>➤
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