Today , 28th November,2024 had witnessed another step taken by the Osun Independent Electoral Commission to conducting the next year 2025 Local Government Election in the State.
OSSIEC, in collaboration with the Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Center (JDPMC) Osogbo, organized a workshop with the Theme: Towards credible and successful 2025 Local Government Election.
Barr. Ashim Abioye, The Chairman Osun State Independent Electoral Commission OSSIEC while delivering his welcome address and declaring Open the event, said he should not take for granted the hand of fellowship and support rendered to his office in Osun by the European Union for the training.
The Chief host of the Occasion,(OSSIEC Chairman) Barr.Ashim Akintunde Abioye impressed it that the OSUN Electoral Commission is fully ready (like the Boys Scout motto-Be Prepared) to discharge its duties excellently well and that is the focus of the training- preparing the commission ahead of election.
He equally commended the JDPMC for putting it upon themselves to partnering with the commission to organize such programme that addresses important needs for a successful local government election coming up in February 2025.
While speaking, The Chairman of the occasion Dr. Jimoh Agboola, noted that traditional elites have prejudicial assumptions about every election which has beclouded the mindset of the populace about elections at various levels. Among the assumptions are:that elections are matters of violence;politicians and political parties believe that money matters ; that elections are for men and women should be left in the kitchen; that people could be bought over,politics has been monitised and that the more you have the more you win. That politicians do not believe in training” and many more.He however, concluded that all these erroneous perceptions must change .
He lauded the Osun OSSIEC for timely sensitization and the open digital recruitment carrying along the Osun people towards achieving credible and efficient election in the state. He also commended the Osun OSSIEC chairman dynamism in following the law rigidly and should take a cue from Abia State where the electoral Umpire there performed creditably by rigidly following the law.
In her own speech, Barrister Veronica Eneh Onojah who stood proxy for Rev. FR. Peter Akinkunmi, General Coordinator Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Center (JDPMC) eulogized OSSIEC for compliance with law provisions and their cooperation to move the state forward.
“OSSIEC is ready to comply with the laws. Go back to the community to sensitize them to come out to vote;this is just a tip of the iceberg with our collaboration”,she said.
” OSSIEC should set the standard for other states to emulate.”
While delivering his speech,Dr. O. A Ayilara, spoke about the legal ways to curb Electoral crimes and criminality . According to him, “We see elections as a battle and not a game or competition in this clime;a -do -or -die affair. Bribery,vote buying,ballot box snatching, incitement at polling stations,use of political thugs,all cause havoc during elections.
That elections should not be winner takes all. According to Dr Ayilara,”The problem we have is not that we don’t have the legal framework but we lack operational framework”.Once the operational framework is faulty,there is little we can do,he said.
Dr. Ayilara therefore posited the Strengthening of Electoral law, voters awareness and sensitizing people at the grassroots -churches mosques,public places,the ‘Okada’ riders, associations and NURTW among others.
Dr. Ayilara also recommends, that OSSIEC should provide election monitors who would be observing and reporting those that flout the law;and the government to strengthen the judiciary so that when an electoral offence is committed, the appropriate punishment must be applied.
On the need to use technology during elections, Dr Ayilara said this is very good but need to be careful and watchful of those manning the technology in place and seek international cooperation and best practices in advanced countries.
While answering questions from journalists at the end of the training, OSSIEC chairman reinforced his unalloyed assertion that the coming local government election in the State would be credible and devoid of violence.
The workshop was anchored by a veteran journalist/Broadcaster,Smallet Adetoyese Shittu Alamu.