Osun: CDD lauds security, knocks parties, poll officials for violating electoral law

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) have commended security operatives for ensuring the peaceful conduct of yesterday’s Osun State governorship election.

A preliminary report on the election signed by the Centre’s Director, Idayat Hassan however condemned some electoral officials for refusing to allow assistance for some of the aged and physically challenged person contrary to INEC guidelines and also upbraids the political parties for subtly campaigning with banners and posters during the voting contravening the Electoral Laws.

“There was heavy security presence in the state. However, the security agents have conducted themselves in an orderly manner as at the time of filing this report. INEC deployment of logistics is commendable as election materials arrived ahead of accreditation in most of the polling units across the state. The accreditation process commenced timely in majority of the polling units across the state and ended around 11.30-11.45am. There were few cases of missing names on voters register but we commend the INEC Situation Room for the prompt resolution of reported cases.

“CDD observed that voting commenced around12.30 pm in most of reviewed local governments; however there were few reported incidents of disagreements over folding of ballot papers before handing out same to voters by the electoral officials. For instance, in Ward 2 Polling Unit 14 in Ejigbo local government, this led to a disagreement and delayed timely commencement of voting.

“CDD also observed that in some polling units, electoral officials refused assistance to the aged and persons living with disabilities contrary to the INEC guidelines. CDD observed that party agents representing Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), All Progressive Congress (APC), Progressive People’ Alliance (PPA), Peoples’ Democratic Movement (PDM), Labour Party ( LP) and National Conscience Party (NCP) were present in most polling units despite the fact that about 20 political parties contested in the election,” Hassan said.

She also said in the report that the voters turnout was average as observed by the Centre, adding that the atmosphere in the state is calm and peaceful and that results have started trickling in as at the time of filing the report.