The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the accreditation of 111 domestic and international organizations with 3,554 observers for the upcoming Ondo State Governorship Election scheduled for November 16, 2024.
INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu revealed this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the electoral process.
“As you are aware, an election is a multi-stakeholder activity. INEC has a role to play and we have done so always in consultation with stakeholders,” he stated.
The commission has implemented enhanced security measures for election agents, including specialized accreditation tags.
“Accreditation tags have been produced for all your agents bearing their names, photographs and location of deployment. We have also added a QR code to the tags that can be read even from mobile phone applications,” Yakubu explained.
In a significant development for media coverage, INEC has accredited over 100 media organizations, comprising radio, television, newspaper, and online outlets. These organizations will deploy approximately 700 personnel, including 129 female journalists, marking “the largest number for any off-cycle governorship election in Nigeria,” according to the INEC chairman.
The commission has also processed accreditation for thousands of party agents representing candidates and political parties across all polling and collation locations in the state.
Yakubu assured stakeholders that accreditation cards for all categories were ready, with distribution set to commence soon through the state office in Akure.
Kunle Ajayi, the Supervising National Commissioner for Ondo, Oyo, and Osun states, called for responsible conduct from political parties and their candidates.
“This election is a collective endeavour. The future of Ondo State and the credibility of our electoral process rests in our hands,” he emphasized.
Ajayi further stressed the national significance of the upcoming election:
“The eyes of the nation will be on Ondo State come November 16. Let us make this election a positive example of what is possible when we come together with a shared commitment to democracy.”
The commission urged political parties to maintain control over their supporters to prevent any disruptive behavior, highlighting the importance of peaceful conduct during the electoral process.
