- says INEC will be neutral
By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin O. Babalola, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair, and credible governorship election in the state, assuring that all political parties will be treated equally under the law.
Babalola gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Tuesday in Osogbo.
Posting Routine, Not Personal Choice
The REC explained that her deployment to Osun State was part of routine administrative redeployment by the Commission, stressing that Resident Electoral Commissioners do not determine their places of assignment.
According to her, postings are handled strictly by INEC headquarters in Abuja.
“Posting is a regular exercise in INEC, handled by the Chairman and National Commissioners. A REC does not choose where to serve. I was previously in Ondo State and have now been posted to Osun,”.
Reacting to concerns and protests that trailed her assumption of duty, Babalola urged stakeholders to have confidence in the electoral system, clarifying that INEC officials are neutral actors whose responsibility is to ensure credible elections.
She emphasised that INEC is not a participant in elections but an impartial manager of the process.
“INEC officials do not vote. We are not partisan actors. Our duty is to ensure a free, transparent, and credible process,” she stated.
Babalola noted that electoral integrity remains the cornerstone of the Commission’s operations, adding that adherence to due process, transparency, and accountability is key to managing the pressures associated with the job.
“Pressure is part of every job, but what matters is how you manage it. For us, doing what is right and building public trust are essential,” she added.
The REC identified key stakeholders in the electoral process to include the media, civil society organisations, security agencies, and political parties.
She stressed that collaboration among these groups is vital to achieving credible elections, assuring that INEC would continue to engage stakeholders throughout the electoral cycle.
Election a Continuous Process
Babalola described elections as a process rather than a one-day event, explaining that activities begin long before polling day.
She noted that INEC has already commenced critical stages of the electoral timetable, including the issuance of the notice of election and monitoring of party primaries.
According to her, political parties are expected to strictly comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act at every stage.
“INEC is a regulator. We ensure compliance with the law, and the law applies equally to all parties. Any violation will attract appropriate sanctions,” she warned.
On vote buying, the REC made it clear that INEC does not engage in or tolerate the practice, describing it as a criminal offence involving both buyers and sellers.
She urged voters to resist inducement, warning that selling votes undermines democratic accountability.
“You do not need money to vote. When you sell your vote, you mortgage your future and lose the ability to hold leaders accountable,”.
Babalola added that security agencies, working through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, are intensifying efforts to curb vote trading through intelligence gathering and enforcement.
The REC called on citizens to support the electoral process by reporting incidents of vote buying and other malpractices to appropriate authorities.
She stressed that public vigilance and cooperation are essential to safeguarding the integrity of elections.
INEC Reaffirms Readiness
Reiterating INEC’s preparedness, Babalola assured residents that the Commission remains committed to delivering a transparent, inclusive, and credible governorship election in Osun State.
She pledged that all activities of the Commission would be guided strictly by the Electoral Act and the Constitution to ensure that the outcome reflects the will of the people.
As political activities intensify ahead of the Osun governorship election, INEC’s emphasis on transparency, stakeholder collaboration, and strict adherence to the law highlights efforts to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
With assurances of neutrality and a level playing field, the Commission says it is fully positioned to deliver an election that meets democratic standards and public expectations.
