By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the Commission is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair and inclusive election, but stressed that success depends on collective responsibility.
INEC call came during an Election Risk Management (ERM) sensitisation workshop involving security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders.
Omoseyindemi identified major threats to the election, including vote-buying, voter inducement, misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media as well as security concerns such as political violence.
He also highlighted logistical challenges in remote areas, voter apathy and non-compliance with electoral guidelines as additional risks that require urgent attention.
According to him, the ERM workshop is designed to proactively identify potential challenges, develop mitigation strategies and strengthen coordination among all stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
INEC urged political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns and avoid actions capable of inciting violence.
It reiterates that credible elections can only be achieved through adherence to electoral laws and peaceful participation.
