Ondo 2024 Governorship Election: INEC Reassures Voters—Your Votes Will Count

INEC pledges a free and fair election for Ondo State in 2024, assuring voters their votes will be counted and urging full participation.

Ahead of the Ondo 2024 governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every vote counts. With 17 political parties fielding candidates, INEC promises that the electoral process will be transparent and fair, encouraging the electorate to maintain faith in the system.

Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, delivered this message of assurance during a meeting with members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akure. Babalola emphasized that INEC is working diligently to prevent voter apathy and provide a smooth election process, reassuring voters that their participation will not be in vain.

“We understand that voter turnout during the registration period shows a strong desire to participate in this election. We urge the people of Ondo State not to lose faith in the process. INEC is fully committed to conducting a credible election, working closely with security agencies to minimize violence,” Babalola said.

To further bolster confidence in the electoral system, INEC has announced plans to deploy advanced technologies, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the result-viewing portal (IREV). These tools, according to Babalola, will ensure transparency and accuracy in both the accreditation of voters and the counting of votes.

“We will make sure that polling units are operational on time, and election materials will be distributed across all 3,993 polling units in the 203 registration areas. With the use of BVAS and IREV, we assure voters that their votes will count,” she added.

In an effort to promote transparency, INEC will maintain an open-door policy for the media throughout the election process. This collaboration aims to keep the public informed and ensure that any concerns or irregularities are addressed promptly.