BON Hails INEC Over Osun Poll, Demands Prosecution of Electoral Offenders

The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has declared the recent Osun State governorship election a major test of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) capacity to deliver credible elections, commending the commission for what it described as a transparent, free, fair and credible exercise.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose, BON congratulated the INEC leadership under Prof. Joash Akin Amupitan for the conduct of the election.

The organisation said the Osun election served as a “litmus test” for the electoral commission, adding that the lessons and outcomes from the poll could provide a useful template for future elections if the gains were sustained and further improved.

BON said INEC deserved commendation for deploying the necessary resources and mechanisms to facilitate a credible electoral process.

It also praised the security agencies for their role in maintaining peace and order before, during and after the election.

According to the organisation, the effective security arrangements helped to reduce tension and minimise incidents of criminality capable of disrupting the exercise.

However, BON warned that the success of an election should not be measured solely by the conduct of voting, insisting that accountability for electoral offences was equally essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

It therefore urged INEC and other relevant law-enforcement and judicial authorities to ensure that persons found to have committed electoral offences during the election are prosecuted.

The organisation stressed that effective prosecution would serve as a deterrent to others and reinforce public confidence in the electoral process.

“We therefore call on INEC and other relevant agencies to ensure strict enforcement of electoral laws and prosecution of all offenders,” BON stated.

BON further urged the electoral commission to build on the experience gained from the Osun election and continuously improve its processes ahead of future elections.

The organisation expressed optimism that sustained improvements in election management, coupled with effective enforcement of electoral laws, would contribute significantly to strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria.