By Ogonnaya Umeham, Abuja
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), has lauded efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the just concluded Osun governorship election.
In a statement titled “Post Election Statement on the Gubernatorial Election in Osun State” signed by its Chairman, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, he praised the electoral body for complying with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
TMG commend the improvement recorded during the election, particularly by providing assistance technology for persons with disabilities, and for efficient election logistics arrangement which saw early deployment of officials and materials to the polling units across the state of Osun.
The group also praised the media other stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring peaceful and non-violent elections and the people of the state for an inclusive and participatory election in the state.
“The 2022 Osun Governorship Election had generated much interests in the country just like the recently concluded gubernatorial election in Ekiti.
“The off-season elections generated high expectations among citizens, not just in Ekiti and Osun, but all over the country as it was expected to reflect citizens expectations towards the General Election in 2023, especially with regards to the reforms instituted by the new Electoral Act, 2022 as amended.
TMG, who observed the electioneering process expressed satisfaction on the high level of voters’ mobilisation activities by the media and civil society groups.
It noted voters availability to exercise their franchise in the election debates and thereby contributing to ensure critical interactions with citizens as part of entrenching issue-based campaigns.
On the vote buying ,Rafsanjani insists that voters must resist selling their future and good governance as vote buying doesn’t provide good governance ,transparent and accountable leadership.
The group, however, urged security operatives to conduct themselves in the highest decorum to ensure the trust of the electorates during subsequent elections.