By Abiodun Tadese, Akure.
Ahead of the November 16th governorship election in Ondo State, PROMAD Infotech foundation has called on eligible voters in Ondo State to come en-masse to vote for the candidate of their choice in the guber poll.
Speaking at a Press Conference organised by the foundation, a member board of Trustees, PROMAD Infotech Foundation, Mr. Olabanjo Ayenakin, esq, said the press conference is part of the foundation’s efforts aimed at promoting citizen’s participation in the November election, which remains strategic and history making.
“It is strategic because it will serve as a lens that will provide a view into the future of the State and determine much needed vision to consolidate, transform and move the Sunshine State forward.”
To make this happen, Mr Olabanjo said electorates in Ondo State must do their parts by exercising their civic responsibilities on the day of election as bestowed on them by the Electoral Act 2022.
He explained that as part of PROMAD foundation contribution in informing, empowering and mobilising eligible voters for the Ondo State governorship election, PROMAD, through its Election Analytics Project (EAP) and the Civic Matters, supported by the MacArthur Foundation and Woke Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), embarked on a research publication on Ondo election.
He noted that the research indicates increase in population & voter registration but declining participation and voting.
“Our analysis indicates that while voter registration had increased in each election cycle, it didn’t translate into more turnouts and votes on election days as accredited voters and total votes cast kept reducing in each election cycle.
Mr Ayenakin however called on Ondo State electorates to rise to the challenge and reactivate their collective interest in the electoral process, adding that active participation and voting on election day will ensure that the Governor of the State will no longer be elected by minority voters who come out on election day.
Also speaking on behalf of the Founder and Executive Director PROMAD Foundation, Daisi Omokungbe, the Programme Officer and Operations Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Sanni emphasized the need for voters to come out en-masse to vote on election day, adding that the fate of the masses should not be decided by the minority.
PROMAD Infotech Foundation is a non-profit organization combining evidence based strategies with civic technology to bridge the gaps between citizens at grassroots communities and the government to strengthen accountability, and participatory governance for efficient implementation of projects, programmes and policies for sustainable development.
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