Ondo Election is Peaceful, Free, Fair – TMG
…advocates prosecution of vote buying politicians
The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of civil society organizations, has described the gubernatorial election held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, in Ondo State as peaceful, free, and fair.
The Group called for the need to prosecutes all politicians who buy vote and not only showcasing people who receive the money.
Speaking to the media, the Ondo State Coordinator of the group, Mr. Adaramola Emmanuel, said the group works with other key players in observing and monitoring the election process, as well as promoting good governance.
He stated that In areas observed by the observers deployed by TMG there were no reports of ballot box snatching or attacks on polling unit officers, but he observed vote buying in many polling units by some of the strong political parties.
The group’s field observers also recorded a low voter turnout. Emmanuel said, “In some places, we reached a polling unit where only four people had voted by 1 p.m.” He continued, “In some places, less than 10% of the eligible voters came out to vote. The only place where we found more than 50% turnout was one specific polling unit among several others we visited.”
Emmanuel observed what he referred to as voter apathy, where many voters showed little interest in voting, which he noted is not a positive sign for the electoral process and the state’s development.
He, however, appreciated the people of Ondo State for maintaining peaceful coexistence during the election, while also commending INEC for meeting expectations.
“INEC has also made significant improvements in terms of its engagements, logistics provisions, timely opening of polling units, and other aspects,” he said.
He also observed a strong presence of law enforcement agencies, which, he noted, may have had a negative impact, especially for individuals who have a fear of the police, potentially preventing them from voting.
He recommended INEC to do more on the area of voters education, stimulating people’s interest in the process.
Emmanuel raised the need to enforce prosecution of politicians who buy vote and not only showcasing people who receive the money.
Nigerians, he affirmed should be more interested in choosing the leaders rather than the voters apathy experienced in the election
