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WSRN Ekiti
The Women’s Situation Room Nigeria , WSRN has deployed 60 women observers to the 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti for tomorrows/today’s governorship elections in the state.
The -Convener of Women’s Situation Room Nigeria , Prof.Joy Onyesoh who made the announcement at a news conference in Ado-Ekiti explained that the women observers in collaboration with UN Women and the government of Canada were expected to observe the elections from a gender-based perspective.
She said the group during elections usually insisted on inclusion and participation of women, the transparency of the process and prevention of violence against women.
Prof.Joy Onyesoh said the group had been giving necessary attention to the governorship election being the first major election to be conducted using the newly signed Electoral Act.
The convener said that the election would provide an opportunity for assessing the implementation of the new act.
She added that it will be the second governorship election to be conducted using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
According to her, the election will also serve as a litmus test to assess the role of security agencies, the commitment of political parties to electoral integrity, stakeholders’ engagement and citizens’ participation, ahead of the 2023 general election.
Professor Onyesoh expressed delight with the peace pact signed by candidates contesting the election, saying it would go a long in reducing the current tension across the state, arising from the election.
She listed some of identified flash points to include: Ikere, Ado-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Omuo, Efon Alaye and Ilupeju.
The Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Sola Adeluyi, in her goodwill message, said the ministry had organised sensitisation programmes and sponsored jingles toward achieving credible and violence- free governorship election in the state.
The highpoint of the event was the inauguration of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Women Situation Observatory Room and presentation of souvenirs to the women observers.
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