The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) says it has accredited 50 local and international observers for the Jan. 18 Local Government (LG) elections in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Akure by Mr Tunde Adeleye, ODIEC Commissioner in charge of Communication, Media and IT.
Adeleye said that the announcement served as a reinforcement of their commitment to credible elections, and to ensure stakeholders were well-informed ahead of the polls.
According to him, the commission has reaffirmed its commitment to credible LG polls and providing a serene platform for observation.
“For this election, close to 50 local and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been accredited.
“They were also approved to monitor the upcoming Ondo State LG elections, set to take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
“These accredited NGOs will deploy their members across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ondo State to observe the electoral process.
“This initiative underscores ODIEC’s commitment to upholding the core democratic principles of free, fair, credible, and transparent elections,” he said.
Adeleye explained that engaging the observers was part of the commission’s aim to enhance public confidence in the electoral process
According to him, the presence of the observers will also ensure that all activities surrounding the elections are conducted in accordance with established guidelines.
Adeleye, therefore, urged all voters in the state to actively participate in the upcoming elections and exercise their civic duty responsibly.
“Together, we can achieve elections that truly represent the will of the people,” he said.