The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State has called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies to strengthen measures against electoral violence and other sharp practices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the call at the Ondo Central Senatorial District stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, where he urged stakeholders to end the misrepresentation of the electoral process and support efforts to ensure credible elections.
Agboke stressed that innovations introduced by INEC, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), were designed to promote transparency and strengthen the credibility of elections.
He urged stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the electoral process and discourage the spread of misinformation capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral system.
The REC also commended security operatives for their contributions during previous elections, calling for stronger collaboration among security agencies at polling units to prevent disruptions and protect the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Director for Youth Engagement and Inclusion at the National Orientation Agency, Akinde Babatunde, called for collective efforts in shaping governance, warning against political divisions that could encourage violence and misinformation.
Babatunde said the agency was intensifying efforts to tackle negative information capable of influencing the electoral process, while urging stakeholders to reject vote buying and selling.
Similarly, a member representing Akure South Constituency Two in the Ondo State House of Assembly stressed the need to reorient voters on their responsibilities in the electoral process, warning against the normalisation of vote selling.
Responding to concerns over the high number of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Akure South, the Local Government Chairman, Gbenga Fasua, said measures would be introduced to facilitate their collection.
Agboke also announced that PVCs belonging to voters who transferred their registration, either from one state to another or between polling units, were ready for collection.
Traditional rulers at the meeting included the Alara of Ilara-Mokin, Oba Abiodun Adefehinti, and the Olojoda of Oda, Oba Olugbenga Aluko, alongside other stakeholders.
