Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), a non-governmental organisation, has identified five LGAs in Ondo as hotspots for violence and intimidation ahead of Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election.
The LGAs are Akoko south-east, Ese-Odo, Ilaje, Idanre, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo.
In a statement on Friday, Bukola Idowu, KDI executive director, said security agencies must investigate potential flashpoints and ensure adequate safety for voter.
“These are potential flashpoints that we think security agencies need to look into and have adequate deployment. And most especially, either processes must be intact and must be adequate and must be top-notch in those areas,” he said.
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“We are watching to see how that preparation will translate to the actual execution on election day. And then we are looking at that in like about four major areas.
“We don’t expect any issue around violence, but we expect that post-election issue should be handled differently and professionally.
“We are saying now that the security agencies and all stakeholders need to find a means of handling it well.”
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Idowu praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its “impressive preparations” for the election.
‘VOTE SELLING WILL MORTGAGE QUALITY GOVERNANCE’
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room also cautioned residents against vote trading, warning that it will “mortgage good governance” in the state.
Speaking at a pre-election conference in Akure, Franklin Oloniju, the co-convener of the Situation Room, said that vote trading is illegal and would undermine the development of the state.
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Oloniju urged voters to resist vote-buying temptations, adding that INEC and stakeholders must adhere to electoral laws and guidelines for a credible election.
He added that INEC and security agencies should provide election observers with unrestricted access to collation centers to ensure transparency.
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