Royal fathers have role to play in election management – Osun REC, Agboke

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke has outlined the roles of traditional institutions in election management.

Agboke made this known during a sensitisation visit to the palace of the Olororuwo of Ororuwo, Oba Qamar’deen Adeyemi Bello Adeyanju on Tuesday.

The REC, who maintained that the visit was to appeal to the traditional ruler to aid in the sensitisation of his subjects, added that such engagement before election leads to reduced crisis.

Using the tempo in Osun State as a case study, the INEC boss observed that by actively sensitising the electorate, there were minimal conflicts during the election which contradicted the mood before the poll.

In his words, “We moved round and assured that no candidate will be declared winner except the person voted for.

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“INEC will do the needful and make the people’s vote count. People will be happy when votes count.”

He stated that since politicians were still using money to deceive people and buy votes, “We want the palace to tell the people not to collect money before voting. This act devalues the importance of voting.

“The palace should help INEC tell politicians to avoid violence and bloodshed before election.

“Violence is orchestrated to whittle down the influence of the opponent before election.

“We in INEC are assuring the voters that their vote will count. We also assure that the 2027 general elections will be better than 2023. To achieve this, all hands must be on the deck. People should do the right thing as it was done in Osun State. INEC will perfect and correct errors to be better for it.”

Earlier in his address, the Olororuwo, Oba Adeyanju appreciated the INEC boss for the visit.

He also commended the Commission for the success of the 2023 general elections.