Orderly voters out in Osun
BY TAIWO FAROTIMI
It was a measure of display of the determination to elect a leader of choice. The electorate in Osun State turned out in large numbers for the governorship election on Saturday in the state. The weather is also firmed up after it drizzled in the morning almost creating fear that the exercise may be disturbed. It is not surprising, because over one million people collected their permanent voters cards, PVCs in the state.
However, even when it drizzled, people went out in their numbers, an indication that they probably would have defied the rain had there been a downpour.
Checks in Osogbo, Ibokun, Ile Ife, Ede, Ikurun and Ilesha showed that though there was no blatant attempt at compromising the electorate, there were still surreptitious approach to influence their choice. Our reporter noted that some people , apparently agents of politicians, stood in some corner around the polling stations compiling names of those going to vote.
The suspicion is that such persons were doing that in anticipation of rewarding willing voters, perhaps at a location away from from the stations.
In the area of security, there have been some order and peaceful conduct. The security personnel have so far been very civil. Some of the contenders, Gboyega Oyetola of the APC and Ademola Adeleke of the PDP have commended the exercise. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC , the security agencies and the electorate should take credit for this orderly exercise. INEC staff have been commended by observers who believe that the electoral body has improved on election conduct. When voters got to most polling stations on Saturday morning they met INEC staff with all the required materials.
