The European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria and the International Press Centre have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to prioritize transparency and timely communication to build citizens’ trust in the electoral process.
This appeal was made on Saturday during a two-day workshop organized on for Ondo State INEC staff in preparation for the November 16, 2024 governorship election, according to the PUNCH.
The workshop aimed to enhance the electoral process in Nigeria by promoting effective communication. It was organized in partnership with DAI and the Centre for Media Society.
Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, emphasized the importance of clear communication in building trust with the electorate.
Arogundade also advised political parties to adhere to the rules and warned that those involved in violence or vote-buying would face consequences.
Meanwhile, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, assured that the commission is prepared to conduct a credible, free, fair, inclusive, and transparent election.
Babalola disclosed that INEC has deployed non-sensitive materials, configured voting machines, and engaged in voter education through various channels.
She urged registered voters to participate in the electoral process and warned against selling their votes, emphasizing that every vote counts.
The workshop is expected to boost the communication capacity of INEC staff and positively impact public confidence in the electoral process.
“Arogundade said, “Clear and transparent communication is essential for building trust with the electorate, ensuring that citizens are well-informed about the electoral processes and addressing any concerns that may arise.
“From our work on elections, we discovered that there are elements of mistrust on the part of the people on INEC. We believe that if INEC engages the electorate very well, then, they may be able to regain their trust. Trust matters.
“When there is no trust, no matter what INEC does, the perception will be there that they are not doing it very well. My advice to INEC in Ondo state is for them to understand the crisis of perception. So they have to prepare for it to ensure people have the required confidence in the electoral process.”
Arogundade also advised registered voters in Ondo state to participate in the electoral process by going to cast their ballots, saying, “It is your responsibility to elect the government that you want. If the majority sit at home, then the minority will determine your fate for the next four years.
“I will also advise the electorate that it is not worth it to sell your votes. There is no amount given to you to buy your vote that can solve your problem. Voters should shun inducement from the political parties and vote according to their conscience,” the IPC ED said.
Babalola said, “We are prepared. We are doing a lot on voter education through various channels – mass media, grassroot mobilisers, we are working with CSOs who are already on the field mobilising and creating awareness. We have had several workshops with different groups – security agencies, youth, women, and people with disabilities.
“We already have the bimodal accreditation system machines in sufficient quantity. They are charged. By next week, we’ll start configuring our machines. I want people to know that BVAS will automatically upload the results from polling units on the INEC election result viewing portal.
“We are promising that every vote will count, so. They should come out on election day. We are advising people not to sell their votes. When you sell your vote, you sell your future for the satisfaction of a few days. When you sell your vote, you have mortgaged your future for the next four years.
“We also want the voters to know that the agencies responsible for checking against vote-buying have taken adequate steps towards arrest and checkmating any form of vote-selling and vote-buying in the state,” she said.
