By Jubril Bada

The Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Dr Joseph Aremo, has charged the Electoral Officers of the commission to focus on the four key mantras of the electoral body in the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for 18th January 2025 in the state.

The mantras, which he said are the guiding principles of the electoral umpire and a benchmark in Africa, include conducting free, fair, credible, and transparent elections.

He stated this during a 2-Day Capacity Building Workshop for selected key Electoral Officers across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, held in Akure, the state capital.

The workshop, themed “Grassroots Governance and Electoral Integrity,” was delivered by the Registrar of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Mr Omololu Adegbenro.

Aremo, who noted that the electoral officers are the ambassadors of the electoral body during elections, also charged them to ensure inclusivity and adopt best practices for the election.

While urging them to act properly in the forthcoming council elections, he warned them not to engage in electoral malpractices and to declare the results of the election as they are collated at the unit level.

“The Commission does not ask you to work for the ruling party or rig the election for anybody. You have to do the right thing because failing to do so only postpones the evil day,” he stated.

The chairman pointed out that vote-buying is a crime, and anyone who commits such an unlawful act must be arrested with evidence for prosecution.

He further explained that an election is not legitimate when contestants are elected based on material inducements.

However, he assured the electorate to have confidence in the commission’s ability to conduct free and fair polls.

Delivering his paper, the resource person and Registrar of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Mr Adegbenro, said grassroots governance is essential as it provides an avenue for citizens to influence policies and decisions that directly impact their lives, ensuring that local leaders are responsive to the needs of their communities.

He further described electoral integrity as adherence to ethical standards, transparency, and fairness throughout the electoral process, which ensures that every eligible citizen can vote freely without fear of intimidation.

Adegbenro called for the need to address electoral malpractices, including corruption, vote-buying, thuggery, violence, and lack of accountability, which have persisted for decades.

According to him, good governance at the grassroots level is essential for national development.

For good governance to thrive, he said elections at the grassroots must be free and fair.

Speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary of the commission, Mr Igbekele Fatuase, said the workshop has prepared the officers to rise to their responsibility of ensuring neutrality in the conduct of credible elections.

Electoral Officers from Ose and Irele Local Governments, Mr Isaac Obiniran and Mr Olu Ikugbaigbe, described their participation in the programme as an eye-opener, which has further enlightened them about their constitutional roles in conducting credible elections.