Low turnout, vote-buying mar Ondo election despite peaceful conduct – IPC/CEMESO

November 20, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Ondo State Governorship election held on November 16, 2024, with 17 political parties participating in the polls witnessed voters apathy and vote trading despite observation of peaceful conduct, says new report.

According to the International Press Centre (IPC), and Centre for Media Studies and Election Observation (CEMESO) election observation report, the 2024 November election showed significant improvements in transparency.

The election was observed by various organizations, including the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), which deployed 90 technical observers and 14 information disorder observers to monitor the process.

According to the report made available to The Yoruba Times, TYT, on Tuesday, only 29% of eligible voters participated in the election, with 508,963 out of 1,757,205 registered voters casting their ballots with widespread vote-buying reported in many local government areas.

Part of the report read, “There was also a general sense of peaceful conduct by the electorate who went out to cast their votes, even though, the turnout was low, being 508,963 out of the 1,757 205 that collected PVCs Permanent Voters Card (PVCs). The analysis of voter turnout against voters who had collected their PVCs indicated the participation of approx. 29% of eligible voters.”

While analyzing the security situation before and during the election, the report highlighted negative reports from journalists-observers while also mentioning that security forces maintained order during the election.

“Presence of security personnel was widely observed, though the journalist-observers highlighted the positive and negative aspects

“Security forces were present in most polling units, maintaining order and ensuring a peaceful environment, In Akoko North East and Akure North, soldiers were reported to have delayed journalists despite their identification as accredited reporters. Some cases of near assault were also noted

“Biometric Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) malfunctions delayed voting in some areas.” Report reviewed

The observers also noted that violence from non-state actors, such as cult groups and political thugs, posed a threat to the election.

However, IPC/CEMESO has called on all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process.

The organization also expressed concerns about the potential misuse of incumbency powers at the State and Federal levels.

Incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election with 366,781 votes, defeating Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).