The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has released preliminary reports on the Ondo state off-cycle governorship election, which took place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, focussing on the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the roles of the electorates in the poll.

In its report, signed by the centre’s Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi, CTA said the results of its election observation demonstrated the need for the electoral commission to enhance its polling operations, especially in logistics deployment and other associated activities.

CTA also observed low voter turnout, which suggests the need for more voter education from the concerned stakeholders in the electoral system. The group also noted the prevalence of vote-buying in the polls and electoral fraud, such as politicians using violence to prevent voters from exercising their right to vote.

Despite the security, the CTA noted that vote buying and selling was widespread during the election and involved many political parties and their agents, adding that voters openly displayed their ballot papers to party agents after voting. “The situation caused some rancour as other voters protested such action. The INEC, security agencies, Nigerians, and other interested parties must devise strategies to deal with this unpleasant occurrence. Political parties must acknowledge that incentivizing vote buying is illegal and that security authorities hold political party officials accountable for the vote-buying actions of their agents”, it said.

However, the organization commended INEC for the flawless operation of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System and the conduct of their officials stating that the CTA is pleased with the performance of the ad hoc electoral officials throughout the election. Poll workers demonstrated professionalism and a thorough understanding of their responsibilities in the many polling units visited. We urge INEC to continue the practice of making sure only trained ad-hoc staff are deployed for election duty.

The organisation therefore made its recommendation on the challenges observed during the election. The recommendations are partly read:

“Vote trading (buying and selling) is constantly diminishing the small progress in the election process, therefore the Security Agencies must take the lead in collaboration with other relevant parties in checkmating and devising effective strategies to combat this unwholesome occurrence.

“INEC must continue to show transparency in the electoral process INEC should retain the logistical strategies that worked well during these elections especially the early deployment of materials 24 hours before the election date in hard-to-reach areas”

Read the full report below:
CTA FINAL STATEMENT ON OBSERVATION OF THE ONDO (1)