The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Ondo State has intensified engagement with critical stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
DAILY POST gathered that the focus of the engagement is on strengthening collaboration for a peaceful, credible and inclusive electoral process.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state, Dr Mutiu Olaleke Agboke, led the engagement on Thursday during meetings held at the INEC Local Government Offices in Akure South and Akure North councils.
Agboke said the Commission was committed to working closely with stakeholders to ensure that preparations for the 2027 elections were effectively coordinated across the state.
He said, “The Commission is committed to working closely with stakeholders to ensure that preparations for the 2027 elections are effectively coordinated across the state.”
The REC urged stakeholders to work in synergy with INEC to promote issue-based campaigns and encourage compliance with electoral laws before, during and after the elections.
He also called on political actors and other stakeholders to “discourage vote buying, political violence and other practices capable of undermining the electoral process.”
As part of the engagement, Agboke and his entourage paid courtesy visits to the palaces of the Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, HRM Oba Idowu Faborode, and the Okiti of Iju, HRM Oba Amos Adelakun Farukanmi.
At the respective palaces, the REC appealed to the traditional rulers to use their positions of influence to encourage their subjects to participate actively in the electoral process.
Agboke also urged the monarchs to encourage voters and political actors in their communities to “conduct themselves with decorum and adhere strictly to extant electoral laws.”
The stakeholders’ meetings brought together members of the Inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, at the local government level and representatives of political parties.
Religious leaders, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, community youths and serving National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members also participated in the engagements.
The meetings provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss their roles in supporting a peaceful electoral environment and strengthening cooperation with the electoral commission ahead of the 2027 elections.