Coalition of Ekiti Civil Society Organizations (COECSO) has called for inclusion of women, youths and People with Disabilities in the electoral process.
The body of Civil Society Organizations made the call when its members paid an advocacy visit to the State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr. Tella Rahmon Adeniran at INEC State office in Ado Ekiti.
The advocacy visit was an avenue for COECSO, led by Prof. Oluwadare Christopher to introduce the coalition to the new Ekiti State INEC resident commissioner while declaring readiness of members to partner with the commission in ensuring a free, fair and credible 2022 Governorship elections.
INEC Stakeholders present at the meeting include the State REC Dr. Tella Rahmon Adeniran, Administrative Secretary – Mrs. Feyi Saseyi, Esq, and Heads of various Departments. Meanwhile, COECSO’s 8-man team was led by Prof. Oluwadare Christopher.
In his remarks, the COECSO Chairman, Prof. Oluwadare Christopher appreciated the State INEC resident commissioner and other INEC principal staff present for their cordial disposition to meeting and partnering with the coalition. He also expressed his delight on receiving the HOD, Voters Education in an unannounced courtesy visit to his office 2 weeks ago.
Prof. Oluwadare remarked that the coalition decided to use the visit as opportunity to welcome the new State REC to Ekiti State and admonish him that the State belongs to all sons and daughters of Ekiti.
The COECSO head, in his speech, reaffirmed that ‘despite the struggle among different political parties, an Ekiti indigene will finally emerge as governor. According to him, head or tail, Ekiti will remain a State.
On a sad note though, Oluwadare observed that though Ekiti communities are closely linked, the spirit of stubbornness often rears its head during election periods as politicians jostle for positions.
He therefore solicited the REC to work with CSOs through the coalition as members complement each other’s efforts to positively influence the elections.
He stressed that to work with one NGO is to work with the coalition hence the REC should carry the leadership and executives along as preparations for elections intensify.
Finally, Oluwadare expressed the readiness of COECSO to partner and collaborate with INEC. He also urged the commission to utilize potentials of ICT in ensuring that the governorship election in Ekiti State is an improvement on those of Anambra and FCT Council polls conducted earlier.
Responding, Ekiti State INEC REC, Dr. Tella Rahmon Adeniran stressed that INEC, in recent times have recorded significant progress in her operations due to steps taken by the commission including deployment of technology and innovative concepts.
He remarked that INEC, at both National and State level is in the process of digitalizing the electoral process to enable citizens have a better chance of accessing polling units and casting their votes. He also mentioned that INEC in Ekiti State has created new polling units from existing ones that have registered voters above the 1,200 threshold as a way of decongesting polling units.
Dr. Adeniran says INEC is willing to engage stakeholders in improving election outcomes and participation. Accordingly, the commission will utilize technology to ensure a free and fair election, while also implementing recommendations from previous election committees.
Dr Adeniran regretted that despite all efforts to ensure credible elections, human interventions often affect the electoral process – especially violence.
He announced that to combat this, INEC has set up a committee to identify early violence signals and inform security operatives who will curtail the situation. INEC also has plans to mitigate hate speech, proliferation of small arms and light weapons used to perpetrate violence. He therefore charged COECSO to mobilize citizens to participate meaningfully in the process.
He also affirmed that INEC will partner with CSOs during the election period, with them (CSOs) acting as watch dogs. He urged stakeholders to work to ensure a free, fair and credible elections for citizens of Ekiti State. Ekiti people, he reiterates, should be assured of transparent and credible elections.
Mr. Olajide Benjamin, of Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI) regretted the non-inclusion of PWDs in the just concluded FCT Council Polls, a situation he blamed on inadequate training of INEC adhoc staffs. He charged INEC to recruit persons who are passionate about the outcome of the elections – not just those interested in financial incentives. INEC should provide adequate training on disability rights to ensure an inclusive electoral process, he submitted.
Barr Rita Ilevare admonished the State REC to ensure inclusion of women in the electoral process. She cautioned INEC not to generalize the term “inclusion” as the meaning can be interpreted differently by groups. Rita’s point was that the commission should state women issues expressively due to society’s patriarchal nature. According to her, women have demographic rights to populate polling units.
Head of Department, Voters Education and Publicity, Mr. Femi Akinbiyi, while delivering the closing remarks on behalf of INEC appreciated the leadership of COECSO for honoring their invitation and sharing their plans.
He reassured that INEC will partner with relevant bodies to ensure success of the elections. Furthermore, on authority of the REC, INEC doors are open at all times for Ekiti citizens to seek information regarding preparations for the elections.
Akinbiyi charged CSOs to educate the people on election and voting processes as this will ensure a credible outcome.