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INEC Sensitization Forum for Voter Education Providers Ahead of the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election

INEC Sensitization Forum for Voter Education Providers Ahead of the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election

INEC Sensitization Forum for Voter Education Providers
INEC Sensitization Forum for Voter Education Providers

On August 26, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) hosted a sensitization forum for voter education providers in preparation for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election. The aim of the event was to enhance voter education strategies and also foster collaboration among stakeholders.

The forum commenced with Mrs. Rolake Adebumi introducing the event, followed by the national anthem. Key administrators, including Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola and Mr. Toyin Oyeyemi, were acknowledged. Also, participants from various organizations introduced themselves.

Administrators emphasized the collective responsibility of ensuring a transparent electoral process. Mr. Toyin Oyeyemi highlighted the crucial role of NGOs and CSOs in supporting INEC, he also stressed the importance of educating the electorate and preventing election-related violence.

Strategies for effective voter education discussed, includes:

Customizing Outreach: Wearing branded outfits to enhance visibility during campaigns.
Outreach & Advocacy: Engaging in direct outreach efforts.
Message Design: Crafting effective voter education messages.
Community Engagement: Hosting forums and dialogues to increase our connections with communities.
Mobile Information Units: Establishing units for election awareness.
Information Sharing: Actively disseminating details about voter education events.
Media Collaboration: Utilizing television and news media for broader reach.

Participants raised important questions regarding voter education in religious settings. They also wished to know the strategies to reach up to 10,000 people. Here we confirmed that election information could be shared in churches and mosques. We also highlighted the use of social media.

Planning for Effective Voter Education

Steps for planning effective voter education included:

Budgeting: Allocating resources for activities.
Developing an Agenda: Creating a detailed plan for events.
Inviting Stakeholders: Ensuring key participants are involved.
Message Preparation: Preparing accurate information for dissemination.
Evaluation: Continuously assessing efforts and reporting progress.

Participants were divided into four groups, each addressing different voter education scenarios:

Group 1 focused on educating youth to avoid violence, using handbills to convey messages of responsibility and peaceful elections. The second group addressed voter education for persons with disabilities, emphasizing participation and hope through special messages. Group 3 engaged village communities using local language and songs to highlight the importance of voting. The last group presented a skit on peaceful elections, illustrating the importance of not selling votes.

The upcoming coordination efforts on October 7 was communicated to the participants. We also informed them of the creation of a platform for sharing information and tracking progress. Emphasis was also placed on reaching new outreach areas and employing local communicators for effective engagement.

Mr. Oloniju concluded the forum with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants for their commitment to enhancing voter education. The forum set the stage for a collaborative effort to ensure a transparent and successful electoral process in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election on November 16, 2024.

 

 

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