The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has been commended for the significant improvement in making the polling units accessible to People With Disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Speaking with Newsmen in Osogbo, Osun State capital on the Governorship Election, Chairman, Campaign for Equal Voting Access for Persons with Disabilities, Mr David Anyaele noted that PWDs and other vulnerable persons enjoyed priority at the PUs, while assistive devices such as Braille guides, shade and magnifying glasses were provided and a significant number of PUs were cited in accessible environments.  

Mr Anyaele explained the assistive devices were seen at PU 8, Ward 10 0din-Oti LGA, and PU 4, Ward 10, Ede South LGA.

He also pointed out significant Polling Units were accessible to persons with physical disabilities, particularly in “PU 9 Ward 3, Boripe LGA; PU 10 Ward 4, Ijebu Ijesha; PU  7 Ward 3, Ijebu Ijesha LGA; PU 4 Ward 4, Ijebu Ijesha LGA, PU 04, Ward 4, Ede North LGA, PU 3 ward 5 in IIeogbo LGA. and PU 2, ward 9 in Aiyedire LGA”.

“These were good examples of how to make PUs accessible to physically challenged voters. Observation shows that INEC sited a significant number of PUs along the Roadside and dropped the ballot boxes on the floor, whilst a good number of other PUs were sited in building with access for those on wheelchairs.” 

However, the EVAPWD boss expressed dissatisfaction with the non availability of some Polling Units notably, “P U 9, Ward 3 in Boripe LGA was not accessible as it was too high and filled with steps and grasses. Also, in PU 4, Ward 10, Ede South LGA, PU 8, Ward 5, Ede South, PU 8, Ward 10 in Odo- Otin, and PU 5, Ward in Osogbo were sited across gutters. Also not accessible is PU 2, Ward 9, and its environs in  Aiyedire LGA, which were sited across gutters or in schools with steps and high pavements.

What this means is that voters with physical disability would struggle much more to cast their votes.”

He observed further that form “EC40H was readily available, but the knowledge of INEC ad-hoc staff around the use of this document remains weak, even as Voting Guides for the deaf in a significant number of the Pus were not seen”.

Mr Anyaele added that the PWDs were satisfied with the security provisions in each PU visited. 

Adenitan Akinola

Sorting of ballots and counting of Votes are ongoing in some parts of Osun State in Saturday’s Governorship election, while voting is still ongoing in some places.

At every polling unit visited, the exercise was peaceful, while the BVAs functioned, however there was stalemate at Obaagun ward II units 5 and 9 in Ifelodun local Government.

At unit 9, when it was half past two in the afternoon, the Presiding Officer stopped voting on the ground that the law provided that voting should end at half past two.

This decision provoked hundreds of agitated voters who were on the queue, complaining of attempt to disenfranchise them.

The issue was resolved with the timely intervention of an NSCDC senior official who persuaded the voters and urged the PO to allow those on the queue cast their votes.

At unit 5, the voting was outrightly put on hold as at the time of this report as supporters of two parties disagreed over allegation of monetisation and wrongly assisting a voter by the agent.

Adenitan Akinola

Men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, are in Osun State to monitor the ongoing Governorship Election.

Radio Nigeria met with a team of 6 personnel at Unit 1, Ward 1 Olotin area of Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government.

The leader of the team, a female declined mentioning her name.

However, she told Radio Nigeria that they were monitoring the exercise and no arrest has been made.

Adenitan Akinola

Voting has commenced in the Osun State governorship election.

Before the commencement of the exercise at about half past eight in the morning, the Presiding officer addressed the voters on the Conduct of the exercise.

People living with disabilities, pregnant women, and aged people were given priority in that order.

INEC officials did not allow party agents to stay close to the cubicle.

At ward 3 unit 7 Isale Osun Osogbo, the BVAs functioned very well, while there was a massive turn-out of Voters at Masifa Ile, Ejigbo Local Government Area and in other Polling Units visited by Radio Nigeria Correspondents.

Funmi Adekoya /Adedayo Adelowo/Adenitan Akinola/Lekan Okandeji/Olaolu Fawole

The stage is set for residents of Osun State, to choose who will pilot their affairs for the next four years.

As it is in every democratic setting, the people will exercise their rights to pick their next governor through the governorship election which comes up on Saturday, 16 July 2022.

The top contenders will battle for who becomes the 10th governor of the state since the creation of the state in 1991.

There are 15 candidates in the race for the state’s Government House and one of them is the incumbent Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, who is seeking a second term in office.

The 15 candidates include Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, representing the Accord Party; the African Action Congress candidate is Awojide Peter Segun; Kehinde Munirudeen Olumuyiwa A Atanda is bearing the flag of the Action Democratic Party; Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola for the APC; the Allied Peoples Movement presented Awoyemi Oluwatayo Lukuman; Adebayo Adeolu Elisha for the All People’s Party; Adeleke Adesoji Masilo Aderemi Adedapo for the Boot Party; Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, Labour Party; Rasaq Oyelami Saliu for the New Nigeria Peoples Party and National Rescue Movement has Abede Adetona Samuel as its flagbearer.

Others are, PDP, which has Adeleke Ademola Jackson Nurudeen as its flagbearer; Peoples Redemption Party: Ayowole Olubusuyi Adedeji; Social Democratic Party: Omigbodun Oyegoke Akinrinola; Young Progressives Party: Ademola Bayonle Adeseye; and Zenith Labour Party: Adesuyi John Olufemi.

Meanwhile, a special prayer session was held by the Deputy Director, News and Current Affairs, FRCN Ibadan, Mr. Samson Abiodun and the Deputy Director Programmes, FRCN Ibadan, Reverend Niyi Dahunsi for the station’s Correspondents before setting off for the coverage of the election.

As at seven o’clock in the morning, voters were seen checking their names on INEC accreditation lists and some INEC Officials were seen distributing sensitive materials at Registration Area Centre, LA Primary School Sumuratu Ibala road, Ilesa West.

Radio Nigeria will bring you live updates of the election.

Akintunji Akinleye/Wasiu Ajadosu/Olaolu Fawole