By Sunmola Olowookere
As the results of the Ondo State gubernatorial election trickle in, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC) has commended voters for their peaceful conduct.
The statement was made during its Preliminary Press Statement on the Conduct of the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election on Saturday, 16 November 2024, at FFA Resort, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State.
The Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa (CDD-West Africa), through its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), observed the election across all 18 local government areas using 104 trained and accredited observers, including disinformation analysts.
CDD-EAC noted that election stakeholders were highly active, with 77% of its observers reporting the presence of two political party agents at polling units, while 12% observed agents from three parties.
The organisation commended the prompt arrival of electoral officials at polling units, with 99% of its observers reporting that INEC officials were at their stations before 8:30 a.m. It also applauded the availability of at least one Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in all polling units it observed, with 90% recording one BVAS device and the remainder recording two.
The Centre, however, pledged to actively monitor the collation and result-upload process to ensure the machines were dutifully used at all stages of the election.
In some instances, such as in Akungba Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area, CDD-EAC observers reported a malfunctioning BVAS. Attempts to capture the fingerprints of both elderly and younger voters were unsuccessful, leading to delays in the voting process.
Observers also noted cases of rowdiness at polling units, with youth disagreeing in some instances over the decision by polling officials to allow elderly voters to cast their ballots first.
CDD-EAC reported that 8.8% of its observers witnessed vote canvassing near polling units, including the presence of campaign posters, individuals soliciting votes, and people wearing materials bearing party logos. In some cases, party agents were observed actively engaging in vote-buying.
The organisation recorded instances of vote-buying in some locations, with party agents resorting to electronic transfers to avoid using cash. In Ese-Odo, Ward 07, Unit 013 (Tari Ama Zion Ugo Community, Arogbo Ward 2), vote-buying was observed, with the PDP offering ₦3,000 and the APC offering ₦5,000 to voters.
At Akure North Local Government Area, Ward 5, PU 13 (Gloryland Primary School), tensions flared over a requirement for voters to display their choices publicly before casting their ballots. Many voters objected, arguing that the practice violated the confidentiality of the voting process.
The disagreement led to heated arguments, prompting security personnel to intervene. The conduct of some party agents reportedly sparked several conflicts during the voting process, according to CDD-EAC.
CDD-EAC has urged all stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure strict adherence to the rule of law and due process as the election progresses towards the collation and declaration of results.
The CDD-EAC Observation Mission for Ondo 2024 was led by Dr Dauda Garuba, Director of CDD-West Africa, alongside Professor Victor Adetula and others.