The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) have jointly published their maiden Media Election Watch report following the just concluded Ondo State off-cycle governorship election, which was held on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The report encapsulates the two organisations’ observations on the poll which include improvements in the transparency and organisation of the election and challenges like technological hiccups, vote-buying, and low voter turnout.

The Media Election Watch, which was published on Tuesday 19, 2024, stated the key findings of media professionals who served as journalist-observers for IPC and CEMESO during the poll, emphasising the role played by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), the presence of the security agents, vote buying, voters’ participation, and the accessibility of the media practitioners to carry out their duties on election day.

The International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) are both implementing partners of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGNII) project within Component 4: Support to Media.

In the report, IPC/CEMESO commended INEC, the election management body for its promptness in information gathering and dissemination, the deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, and the responsiveness of INEC staff in the discharge of their duties, notwithstanding some hitches in the use of technology.

However, the report observed some challenges that served as limitations in some parts of the state during the election, urging the concerned stakeholders to take cognisance. These include but are not limited to:

Low Voter Turnout and Heavy Presence of Security Agents
The report also acknowledges the peaceful conduct of the election in the state, as there were not many reports of a breakdown of law and order, although the presence of military men and other security operatives along major streets, with roadblocks and barricades could be intimidating to voters, causing low voter turnout.

In the same light, the report establishes that there was low voter turnout for the poll. It further breaks down the participation as only “508,963 out of the 1,757 205 that collected PVCs Permanent Voters Card (PVCs). The analysis of voter turnout against voters who had collected their PVCs indicated the participation of approx. 29% of eligible voters.”

Vote Buying
IPC/CEMESO expressed concerns over the prevalence of vote buying, which they describe as “the low point” of the whole electoral activities as political parties and their agents who engaged in vote buying before and on election day, stating this raises concern for the emergence of a truly democratic process. “The low point of the election was the interplay of actions by political parties and their agents who engaged the electorates in vote trading and vote lobbying through monetary inducements, pre and on election day, thus making them areas of concern for the emergence of a truly democratic process.”

BVAS Malfunctioning
The report also addressed the challenges of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System malfunctioning during the poll. Some reports of BVAS failing to capture fingerprints or facial recognition were made, even though the majority of the information received indicated that it was effective.

Furthermore, IPC/CEMESO observed delayed accreditation in some units due to malfunctioning BVAs, which slowed voting in polling units in areas such as Ifedore and Akure North.

Press Freedom During the Poll
The report observed that journalists were given the chance to perform their duties in some parts of the state during the election. IPC/CEMESO said it received reports of delay and harassment of accredited journalists who were obstructed from moving around to cover the election in Akoko North. Another instance was reported whereby party agents harassed and threatened journalists who were trying to report the cases of vote-buying.

IPC/CEMESO therefore recommends the enhancement of BVAS technology, Strengthening of Enforcement or mechanisms to curb vote buying, Protection of Journalists Increase of Voter Education, and inclusive Voting

See the full report here https://x.com/IPCng/status/1858858658848755745