The Independent National Electoral Commission has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State to ensure a credible and peaceful process.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Mr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, made the call on Thursday in Ado Ekiti during an Election Risk Management (ERM) sensitisation workshop.
Mr Omoseyindemi said INEC remains committed to delivering a free, fair, inclusive, and credible election, stressing that stakeholder cooperation is critical to achieving that goal.
“INEC remains fully committed to conducting an election that reflects the will of the people of Ekiti State,” he said.
Call for compliance
Mr Omoseyindemi urged political actors to adhere strictly to the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, warning against violence and inflammatory campaigns.
He emphasised the need for issue-based campaigns.
“Campaigns should be issue-based, peaceful, and free from violence or incitement,” he said.
Risk management focus
He explained that the workshop was aimed at improving stakeholders’ understanding of the ERM framework and identifying potential risks specific to the Ekiti election.
“The objective is to identify potential risks, develop collaborative strategies for mitigation, and strengthen synergy among all critical actors in the electoral process,” Mr Omoseyindemi said.
He described the ERM framework as a key tool for assessing and addressing threats to the electoral process.
“These risks are not insurmountable, but they require proactive collaboration and shared responsibility among all stakeholders,” he added.
Key concerns
Mr Omoseyindemi highlighted several risk factors that could affect the election, including vote-buying, misinformation, and security threats.
He warned that vote-buying and voter inducement remain major concerns based on past elections.
He also pointed to the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media, as a potential trigger for tension.
Other risks include political violence, thuggery, disruption of electoral activities, and logistical challenges in deploying personnel and materials to remote areas.
He further cited inter-party rivalry, voter apathy, and non-compliance with electoral guidelines as issues requiring urgent attention.
Stakeholder participation
The workshop was attended by representatives of key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Orientation Agency, civil society groups, and the media.
Mr Omoseyindemi stressed that achieving a credible election requires collective vigilance and adherence to established rules.
“Our objective… can only be achieved through cooperation, vigilance, and strict adherence to the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines,” he said.
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