Tag: Ondo 2024

Political parties participating in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State have received copies of the voter register. This was in line with the provisions of the provisions of section 10(4) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Supervising National Commissioner for Ondo, Ogun and Osun States, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, said the total number of registered voters upon completion of the Continous Voter Registration and clean-up exercise was 2,053,061.

Prof. Ajayi said the commission was prepared and determined to conduct a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election. He encouraged all political party representatives to mobilize their supporters to collect their PVCs.

Ajayi said: “Without the PVC, nobody would be allowed to vote. There will be no collection by proxy as it is against the law, and anybody found with more than one voter’s card belonging to the person shall be made to face the full extent of the law.

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“The commission is keen on enhancing its inclusive election management capacity at all levels. As such, permit me to use this opportunity to call on all Persons With Disability (PWD), PWD-focused CSOs, and groups to encourage any PWD to come out and collect their PVCs as the commission has made adequate provision for assistive devices which would ensure a seamless voting experience for all PWDs in the forthcoming Ondo Governorship Election.”

Ondo REC, Mrs. Babalola Oluwatoyin, encouraged political parties to complement the Commission’s efforts in voter education and sensitization drive to ensure voters participate in the electoral process in large numbers, free from fear and undue influence.

She urged political parties and candidates contesting the governorship election to operate within the confines of the law and engage the electorate peacefully and respectfully.

“The publication and presentation of the Voter Register ensure transparency and establish a level playing field for all participants. I call on all stakeholders — civil society organizations, the media, and the electorate — to remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding the integrity of this process.

“The publication of the Voters Registers is only the beginning. We must work together to ensure that every stage of this election is conducted with the highest standards of fairness and transparency.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned persons without Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to steer clear of polling centres during the Nov. 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

The INEC National Commissioner Supervising Ondo, Ogun and Osun States, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, gave the warning yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at the presentation of soft copies of the register of voters for the election to the political parties.

Ajayi, who pledged the commission’s preparedness and determination to conduct a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election, said that 2,053,006 eligible voters were registered. He said: “It is important to reiterate to you that the Commission shall commence distribution of the newly printed Permanent Voters Cards and the uncollected PVCs from the previous CVR exercise starting from Thursday.

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“I strongly encourage all political party representatives to mobilise their supporters to come out and collect their PVCs. Also, the Civil Society Organisations and the media here present are to use their various strong outlets and platforms to encourage the general public, registrants, and eligible voters to come out en mass to collect their PVCs. This is because, without the PVC, nobody would be allowed to vote.”

Ajayi said that the collection of PVCs won’t be by proxy as it was against the law.

He said anyone found in possession of more than one voter’s card would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He also called on Persons With Disability (PWD), PWD-focused organisations and groups to encourage any PWD to come out and collect their PVCs.

Ajayi said that the commission has made adequate provision for assistive devices which will ensure a seamless voting experience for all PWDs in the forthcoming election.

Also, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, said that the publication and presentation of the voter register was crucial and a statutory step in safeguarding the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

Babalola said that the presentation was a powerful reminder that the future of Ondo State was in the hands of its people. She said: “I call on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and committed, safeguarding the integrity of the process

“I therefore use this medium to encourage voters in Ondo State to come out to cast their votes freely with the assurance that their choices are respected and their votes will count.”

Ondo All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, applauded the commission for its timely presentation of the voters register.

He said it would enable the political parties to go back to the field and mobilise and educate their supporters to come out en mass to vote on election day.

“It’s now our duty as political parties to go back to all 3936 polling units to mobilise and canvass for their (electorate) votes,” he said.