The Osun Election Civil Society Observers’ Coordination Group has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and security agencies to guarantee a fair and non-violent governorship election this Saturday. During a Thursday press conference in Osogbo, Comrade Femi Lawson, National Secretary for the Campaign for Democracy, noted that while INEC seems prepared, they must proactively address potential logistical and technical failures.
The group emphasized the need for timely distribution of electoral materials, specifically mentioning that contingency strategies are required for remote areas. They also highlighted significant concerns regarding the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) after technical issues surfaced during a mock exercise. Observers warned that the commission must provide robust technical support and backup systems to prevent device failure on polling day.
Regarding logistics, the group raised alarms about the involvement of certain National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) members. They warned transport personnel against interference and urged stakeholders to monitor the transit of materials closely. Furthermore, the group strongly condemned recent reports of political violence and warned that inflammatory rhetoric from political figures could incite further unrest. Security services were urged to remain impartial and protect all participants while ensuring that those responsible for election-related attacks face legal consequences. Finally, the observers reminded candidates and citizens that the democratic process should be peaceful and free from the influence of vote buying.
