SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF ONDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS, HELD ON 10TH OCTOBER, 2020
SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF ONDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS, HELD ON 10TH OCTOBER, 2020
12/12/2020
The Chairman,
Independent National Electoral Commission,
Headquarters,
Plot 438, Zambezi Crescent, Maitama District,
P.M.B. 0184, Abuja FCT, Nigeria.
Sir,
SUMMARY OF THE REPORT OF ONDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS, HELD ON 10TH OCTOBER, 2020
The Nigeria Progressive Women and Youth Development Initiative is a non-governmental organization established to empower the poor in the society throughout job creation, opportunities and poverty alleviation and assist women and youth to be economically independent through creation of vocational center.
In line with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) INEC organized governorship elections in Ondo State, the election took place in 18 local government areas of the state. Namely; Odigbo LGA, Owo LGA, Akure North LGA, Akure South LGA, Okitipupa LGA, Ese Odo LGA, Akoko North-East, Akoko North-west, Akoko South –east, Idanre LGA, Ifedore LGA, Ilaje LGA, ile Oluji/Okeigbo LGA, Irele LGA, Ondo East LGA, Ondo West LGA, Ose LGA
The Nigeria Progressive Women and Youth Development Initiative deployed twenty-member (20) to go round the state and observe the process, and we also maintained a democratic watch over the exercise in the state. The elections was keeniy contested thirteen (13) political parties namely; AA, APC, APM, APD, LP, APP, NPP, NRM, NRP, PDP, SDP, YPR and ZLP.
Interestingly, Ondo State as 10% cases of COVID-19 as a result the state is relatively safe from the Pandemic. However, voters were instrusted to put-on their on facemasks before they are allowed to cast their votes in most of the polling units visited.
The state government took the bull by the horns in making sure that all the necessary logistics were provided for the hitch free elections without influencing or interfering with the process. This been the first election conducted by this administration of His Excellency, the Executive Governor.
Our team of twenty (20) observers group deployed ourselves into all the local governments of the state and our observation is as follows:
1. ODIGBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Our team visited RA 03 Ajue polling unit 008 maternity centre Aseweje Korede maternity total voters = 986, the election started 8:30AM. Odigbo RA 080 polling unit 005 & 6 St. Thomas Pry. Sch. Odigbo total registration voters = 807 and the environment was calm and peaceful and free and fair, the turnout is very high impressive, voters cast their vote and the media was on ground.
The electoral environment was okay, there was no violence recorded. General assessment of the entire process is good.
The estimate percentage of female voters is seventy-five (75%) percent, the security personnel are present and party agents.
The turn out of voters is high and it is orderly, DSS, Immigration, Civil Defence and Police officers are on ground and observed of COVID-19 protocol both sanitizers, temperature checking and unit was peaceful, free and fair. There is no violent in the polling unit, the only challenge is Cardreader is slow, and the voters are under the sun which make many go back home because it is inconvienient and health challenge.
We observed that, the electoral management body was very carefully to make available of all the materials both sensitive and non-sensitive to the various polling units. The distribution of the electoral materials was adequately.
2. ONDO LGA
Our team observed that the election started 8:30AM, RA 10 Oke-otu nba/oke diba Aisokoti, polling unit 008 Jubike Grammar Sch. Surulere Total registration = 977, Covid 19 protocol was observed and recommended.
3. ONDO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Our team observed that the election started 8:30AM, RA Ondo West 020, 07 lodasa. The total registered voters is 1264, Covid 19 protocol was observed temperature point unit was also observed. We also observe total registered voters of 754 open space opposite under mango tree 2 . the security personnel are well on ground, this unit there is no observation booklet registration. We also visit RA 07 Lodasa/Iparukun/Lijoka, Polling unit 020 Akure Garage Ogbo, total registered voters = 1092,Covid 19 protocol was observed temperature point unit was also observed.
VOTER ACCREDITATION, VOTING PROCESS AND COUNTING
Reports from across the wards and polling units indicate smooth process in all the area we visited. There is no complain of shortage of ballot paper, it was peaceful free, fair, transparent and credible election across all the wards and polling units. The electorate conducted themselves in a peaceful manner across all the wards.
RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM AND MEDIA CONDUCT
We appreciate the conscious effort of the Nigeria media both print and electronic to operate in conformity with extant rules and regulations.
RECOMMENDATION
Following the above observation and to improve on our electoral processes, we wish to recommend the following:-
1. The government and the election management body should engage committed Civil Society Groups on an intensive civil voter education, sensitization and mobilization ahead of futures.
2. Priority should be given to the difficult terrains in the state in terms of distribution of election material to ensure quick and timely commencement of election in such areas.
3. Political parties should ensure a wide spread presence of their party agents in all the polling units for effective representation during the election.
4. It is noteworthy to mention the excellent performance of INEC in the conduct of the Governorship election.
COMMENDATION
1. We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission for providing a level playing ground for all the political parties during the election process.
2. We commend Edo State Government for the security network provided during the election process.
3. The electorate conducted themselves in orderly manner while casting their votes.
4. We commend the Commissioner of Police and the Mopol Commander for their expertise and other “Electoral stake holders” for the “satisfactory and professional act” in securing the collation processes and centers.
5. We also able to effort of the Election DPOs for the peaceful way they were able to maintain law and order during the election process.
CONCLUSION
Finally, having taken the entire processes into consideration our group adjudged the election transparent, peaceful and credible.
It met the international acceptable standard of election hence the result should be accepted by all the candidates as it reflects the wishes of the people.
The group will continue to appreciate your support and cooperation.
Adequate collaboration with relevant stakeholders will go a long way in contributing to the success of any electoral process.
Thanks and God bless Nigeria!
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Rachael Femi
National Coordinator
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