Ahead of the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Toyin Babalola, has assured voters of their safety and a smooth electoral process.
Speaking to journalists in Akure on Friday, Mrs. Babalola emphasized that adequate security measures are in place, with over 30,000 security personnel deployed across the state. She also disclosed that officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission will be present to curb electoral malpractice, particularly vote buying and selling.
“The security agencies have given us assurance,” she stated. “They are deploying over 30,000 security personnel, and we have trained them ahead of time. We trained them on the need to be professional and committed to their duties.
“We also taught them our process because, often, when you don’t understand someone else’s process, things might appear wrong. This training has been cascaded down to their respective commands,” she added.
Mrs. Babalola highlighted the collaborative efforts between INEC and anti-corruption agencies to ensure transparency and fairness.
“EFCC and ICPC are part of the Inter-Security Committee on Election Security. We have been having collaborations with them. They’ve had several meetings and have developed strategies to mitigate vote buying and selling in the state,” she noted.
The REC assured voters of a seamless process, including the timely arrival of election materials and the opening of polling units.
“My assurance for Ondo State electorate is that materials will be at the polling units on time, and polling units will open on time. They should come out en masse. All registered voters should exercise their franchise.
“They should come out on time and vote. We promise them this election will be free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive,” she concluded.
The Ondo governorship election will take place in all 18 local government areas, with voters set to decide who will lead the state for the next four years.
