Ahead of LG Elections: ODIEC Trains Electoral Officers across 18 LGs

As part of efforts to equip electoral officers across the 18 Local Government Areas of Ondo State, the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, ODIEC on Monday, July 31st, 2023 organized a two-day training workshop in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Speaking on the essence of the programme, the Chairman of the commission, Dr. Joseph Aremo said the goal is to train electoral officers, principal and supporting staff on the need to achieve free, fair, credible and transparent electoral process in the coming Local Government polls in the state.

Dr. Aremo who said the commission will continue to engage its officers and bring them up to standard on best practises assured that the coming election will witness one man, one vote which is the guiding mantra.

According to him, changing the narrative and getting it right starts from planning and the two day workshop was primarily conceptualized in order for all officers to be on one page.

"If we must change the narrative, it must start from planning. The mantra of today's workshop is one man, one vote and if we don't get it right now, we may never get it right. If you want to build a house, you start from the foundation and you start by counting the cost", he added stressing that the goal is to cascade the plan from the leaders to  all principal and supporting officers.

In a lecture titled:  Election Act 2023, Key Changes and Impacts on the conduct of LG Elections in Nigeria, Prof. Olubayo Oluduro from the Faculty of Law, Elizade University said it has become imperative to have such a discuss as the expectation of the people in the state is quite high in terms of the conduct of a free and fair polls.

Prof. Oluduro who took time to explore election guidelines, stressed the need for aspirants to submit statutory 3years tax clearance, be a registered voter, resign from political appointment in order to stand to be elected, among others.

He also spoke extensively on the roles of political parties most especially in the area of submission of candidates list from valid elections,  single nomination of candidates from a particular constituency, , submission of poling agents list 14 days before the election just as he charged the electoral officers to ensure they judiciously implement what is expected of them as contained in the electoral act.

Also speaking on Leadership and Conflict Management skills, another guest lecturer, Prof. Alaba Gbadamosi from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko noted that leadership is about deploying resources and that conflicts will always arise but management of such crises is key in resolution.

While particularly emphasizing the need for electoral officers to be active listeners with good communication skills,  Prof. Alaba said the whole essence of managing conflict is to take away every form of distraction in leadership pursuit in order to achieve the overall goal.

The event also featured a technical session anchored by representative of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Olaleye Olawale who spoke on Electoral Process and Management of Electoral Materials, taking the officers through their roles at the different stages of electoral process.

Presenting submission on the place of state of regulatory books in registry procedure and productivity in Ondo State, Mrs. Yinka Odedele advised electoral officers to maintain functional registry in their various local government.

Earlier in his address, the Administration Secretary of the commission, Mr Igbekele Jatuwase urged participants at the training to cascade what they have learnt in their various local government just as he assured that the training would continue to ensure purposeful electoral governance and leadership at the grassroots.

Some.of the electoral officers who spoke commended ODIEC for coming up with the training.

In a chat with newsmen, the Electoral Officer for Akoko South East, Elder Sylvester Ajayi said the training was apt as he has learnt new things about the newly signed Electoral Act.

He also used the opportunity to express high hopes that the coming LG polls will be free, fair, transparent and credible.