Collation Ongoing In Ondo Election As CSOs Thump Up For INEC |The Source

By Ayodele Oni

Civil Society Organizations, (CSO) that observed the Ondo State Governorship election have said it is an improvement over that of Edo state poll which was held in September.

Centre for Democracy and Development, (CDD) Kimpact Development Initiative, (KDI), and YIAGA Africa, in separate analysis, submitted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has done well.

In their first report on the election, made available to journalists in Akure, the CSOs pointed out that there are still rooms for improvement.

CDD, through the Director, Mrs Idayat Hassan, said voters resilience by insisting on voting, despite early morning downpour and their presence till votes were counted as well as early arrival of voting materials, are worthy of commendation.

Mrs Hassan called for more security presence to protect INEC personnel especially during votes counting.

KDI in its assessment, noted early commencement of voting, which it described as better than Edo election.

Executive director, Bukola Idowu, advised INEC to prepare for natural incidents such as rain that can disrupt elections in future.

The YIAGA Africa director, Mrs Aisha Abdullahi, said money still played major role in determining voters’ choice in Ondo election.

Mrs Abdullahi, also advocated for deployment of more security personnel in future elections.

She commended the friendly posture of security personnel in Ondo election, but observed that some of them turned their eyes away when voters were being induced with money.

Collation of the election results is ongoing at the various centres and state INEC office in Akure.