In preparation for the Ondo State governorship primary election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called upon Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to actively engage with political parties and observe their primaries, akin to their role in general elections across the nation.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of INEC, conveyed this message while speaking to journalists during the first quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the involvement of CSOs would bolster advocacy efforts for inclusivity, particularly for women, youths, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who are often underrepresented in elective offices at both national and state levels.
Expressing gratitude for the observations and recommendations provided by CSOs in their election observation reports, Prof. Yakubu reiterated INEC’s commitment to collaborating with Civil Society Organizations to fulfill its statutory obligations.
In response, Mufilia Fijiasi, the Executive Director of Sustainable Gender Action Initiative, representing the CSOs, commended INEC for its unwavering efforts towards ensuring the success and credibility of recent elections in the country.
Fijiasi pledged continued collaboration between CSOs and the electoral body, ensuring that accredited observers who are yet to submit reports for the general elections do so promptly, thereby upholding transparency and accountability in the electoral process.