Group urges INEC to block loopholes in forthcoming governorship poll

Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), made the call when he visited Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akure.

Mr David Oluwaseun, Media Manager, of YIAGA, said in a statement on Saturday that politicians were capable of lobbying the staff of INEC.

Itodo said "Their team would fully participate in the governorship election as observers, and forward their findings and recommendations to the commissioner

“INEC should ensure that any loophole to compromise the integrity of the process is discouraged.’’

He added that 300 observers would be deployed across the 18 local government of the state.

The REC in the state, Olusegun Agbaje, according to the statement, said the new procedure for conducting election had drastically reduced fraud.

“It would be difficult to influence the election with the use of card reader. I as commissioner cannot influence the vote of the electorate and if I cannot influence, how will my lieutenants do so?

“With the coming of card reader, nobody can influence the election. There is transparency and the process is straight forward.”

Agbaje said INEC was not in position to assist any political party to win election, adding that the present structure where the result of election would be collated at the polling unit and given to party agents foreclosed any shady deal.