A non-governmental organization, ElectHER, has called for the deployment of more female electoral and security officers during elections to enhance women’s confidence in participating in the electoral process.
The NGO noted that female voters often feel intimidated by a male-dominated security presence at polling units.
Presenting the pre-assessment analysis for the Ondo State off-cycle election in Akure, ElectHER’s Chief Executive Officer, Ibironke Faborode, highlighted the longstanding challenges facing women in the state’s political landscape.
She stated, “This election cycle illustrates these barriers, with zero percent female representation in the governorship race and a mere 5.9 percent for deputy governorship candidates, down from 17.7 percent in the previous elections and 14.3 percent in 2016.”
Faborode explained that female political participation in Ondo State has been limited since 1999, urging stakeholders to address these structural barriers to create a more inclusive political environment.
The Head of Programmes at ElectHER, Olarotimi Olaitan, also emphasized the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership roles during elections.
He said, “As we reflect on the political landscape of this election, it is disheartening to note the persistent underrepresentation of women. This unfortunate reality highlights the continued exclusion of women from leadership positions in our democratic processes—a challenge we at ElectHER are deeply committed to addressing.”
ElectHER outlined its efforts to promote inclusivity in the upcoming election. Olaitan revealed that 150 observers would be deployed across Ondo State’s 18 local government areas, with 100 of them gathering live, gender-focused data using ElectHER’s Verified Election Observers Portal. This innovative platform is powered by Hernalytics, the organization’s election technology tool.
Olaitan further explained, “This innovative approach demonstrates how technology can transform elections by ensuring data-driven transparency and accountability while amplifying gender-related insights.”
ElectHER also announced the launch of the ElectHER-NWTF Joint Gender Situation Room, supported by the European Union under the EU-SDGN II Programme. The platform will provide real-time analysis of gender trends during the election and document key dynamics for future advocacy.
Additionally, ElectHER introduced its Election Expert Support Programme, which features two prominent experts to bolster its observation mission. These include Professor Olawale Ajai, Professor of Legal, Social, and Political Environment of Business and Head, Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Lagos Business School, and Dr. Idongesit Eteng, Head of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calabar.
According to Olaitan, “Their participation is a testament to the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in achieving a more inclusive and credible electoral process. I would like to take this opportunity to invite them to introduce themselves, share insights into their roles, and highlight how their expertise will strengthen our observation mission.”
As the election approaches, ElectHER expressed its gratitude to partners, colleagues, and the media for their dedication to fostering inclusive governance. Olaitan concluded, “I wish everyone a safe and impactful observation experience, and I look forward to seeing the collective impact of our efforts.”
The Ondo State governorship election is set to take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
