Civil society organisations in Osun State have warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against any lapses in the conduct of the August 15 governorship election, insisting that no excuses will be tolerated.
The Chairman of Civil Society Matters for the Imole Campaign Council, Mr. Funmiso Babarinde, gave the warning on Wednesday in Osogbo while assessing the commission’s preparedness ahead of the poll.
Babarinde, who also serves as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Renewable Energy, said civil society groups across the state had closely monitored INEC’s activities in recent months and expected nothing short of a free, fair and credible election.
According to him, the commission has had ample time to prepare and must ensure that the election reflects the true will of the people.
He disclosed that civil society organisations would deploy observers across the 30 local government areas of the state, including the Modakeke Area Office, to monitor voting, collation and the announcement of results.
Babarinde also urged INEC to open its portal for the registration and accreditation of civil society groups willing to participate in election monitoring.
He cautioned that any attempt to disenfranchise voters, delay logistics or compromise the integrity of the process would be strongly resisted by civil society groups.
Babarinde further stressed the need for the timely deployment of electoral materials and personnel, noting that late arrival had affected previous elections in the state.
He called on security agencies to remain neutral and professional during the exercise, warning that acts of intimidation could erode public confidence in the electoral process.
The campaign official reaffirmed the commitment of the Imole Campaign Council to promoting civic participation, adding that efforts were ongoing to educate voters on their rights and responsibilities ahead of the election.
He also urged residents of Osun State to turn out in large numbers on August 15 to exercise their franchise and protect their votes.
“The credibility of this election will determine the level of trust people have in our democratic institutions,” he said.
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