The President of the Network for Governmental Organisation in Osun State, NETNOS, Mr. Olusesi Ebofin, has asked the state’s Independent Electoral Commission, OSIEC, to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the February 22, 2025 local government election.
Besides, he warned against vote-buying saying, “There is an urgent need for voters enlightenment on the poverty-recycling process of vote buying, which only gives politicians the authority to further worsen voters’ economic conditions,”
He hinged his call on his strong belief that BVAS is one of the workable means of ensuring fairness, credibility, transparency and acceptability in elections.
In a statement on the preparation for the poll, he stressed that local government elections in Nigeria serve as the foundation of democracy, bringing governance closer to the people.
His words: “These elections determine the leadership of local councils, which are responsible for providing basic services, implementing development projects, and addressing community-specific issues.”
“OSIEC as the electoral umpire in the state is expected to conduct a free, fair, credible, inclusive and conclusive election in collaboration with relevant stakeholders which include Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), security agencies, media practitioners, traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of pressure groups and the electorate.”
He also commended OSIEC for its prompt release of the Local Government Election Time Table, saying that this will enable the key stakeholders to prepare adequately .
Warning against weaponising poverty through vote-buying, Ebofin urged the electorate not to trade their votes as they go to the polls.
“We appeal to IPAC, OSSIEC, media outfits and relevant groups to embark on effective political education, which must target the voters at grassroots and urban communities, to reverse the trend of vote trading, which is becoming a tradition in every election, ” he said.
He asked stakeholders including Inter-Party Advisory Council, OSSIEC, media organizations and other relevant groups to carr yout effective political education which must target voters at the grassroots and urban communities on the need for them to shun vote trading.
