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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned that it is prepared to prosecute anyone found guilty of electoral offences.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, issued the warning on Tuesday during separate stakeholders’ meetings held in Ifelodun and Olorunda local government areas ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
Speaking at the Ifelodun INEC office, Dr. Agboke disclosed that all commission staff, including ad-hoc and election personnel, had signed an undertaking committing themselves to adhere strictly to electoral guidelines.
He commended stakeholders for their turnout and cooperation, expressing optimism that the forthcoming election would be peaceful.
He outlined the agenda of the meetings to include reviewing developments within the local government, assessing preparations for the election, receiving reports from political parties, and ensuring the inclusion of members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“They have all signed an undertaking. They know the implications of going against the agreement. If they dare go against it, INEC will ensure that the guilty party goes to jail,” Agboke said.
He revealed that the Commission had reached an understanding with the Nigeria Police Force, which serves as the lead security agency during elections, to ensure all personnel act in accordance with electoral laws.
The REC urged members of the transport union to carry out their responsibilities professionally and in line with the agreement reached with INEC.
“At the time of the election, NURTW members engaged are working for Nigeria and not for any political party or interest,” he stated.
He also directed that transport workers ensure election staff are safely conveyed to polling units and returned to their bases at the end of voting.
“NURTW should ensure that when they transport staff to their polling units, they bring them back safely at the end of the day,” he added.
Agboke appealed to security personnel and election officials to be diligent in their duties so that voting could commence promptly on election day. He also called on political parties to provide credible and verified information to the Commission to aid planning and effective coordination.
The REC assured persons with disabilities that adequate provisions would be made to cater to their needs before and during the election.
“What you need we will provide, but whatever your specific needs, please make them known to INEC,” he said.
He assured voters that their ballots would count, stressing that winners would be determined strictly by the outcome of the vote.
At the Olorunda local government INEC office, Dr. Agboke emphasized that INEC should not be blamed for all challenges in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“Elections do not start at the polling units, even though voting starts there. The real election starts at the collation centres,” he explained, urging heightened vigilance at collation points.
Responding, the Electoral Officer for Ifelodun Local Government, Abdulkadir Azeez, identified flashpoints requiring increased security attention, including Okeeba, Station Road, and Owode Ikirun areas.
In Olorunda, the Electoral Officer, Hannah Okere, disclosed that the council has 17 staff members, 11 registration areas, and 193 polling units, with a significant number located in urban centres.
Ifelodun and Dugbe Divisional Police Officers, CSP Dayo Adeosun and Owolabi Joshua, called on stakeholders to support security agencies and emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering and cooperation to ensure peaceful elections.
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