CDD Election Analysis Centre (CDD’s EAC) Preliminary Press Statement on the Conduct of the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election
Saturday, 16 November 2024 | FFA Resort – Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State
The Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa (CDD-West Africa), through its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), has been closely observing the 16 November 2024 Ondo State Governorship election across all 18 Local Government Areas. The CDD-EAC deployed 104 trained and accredited observers, including countering disinformation analysts, who are collecting data on key aspects of the day’s voting and other key election processes. The objective of the CDD-EAC is to provide evidence-based analysis to ensure a free, fair and credible poll in Ondo State.
Background
Ondo State goes to the polls at the end of 2024’s off-cycle and in the midst of ongoing discussions around Nigeria’s federalism, socio-economic conditions and general political considerations. In focus group discussions and pre-election assessment reports, we allude to fears of voter apathy and disillusionment with the democratic process. Looming large over the proceedings is the legacy of the late governor and mixed thoughts about the incumbent federal government, which Ondo State voted for en masse during the 2023 general elections.
CDD-EAC observes that the election stakeholders were very active in the election, with 77% of our observers noting that polling units had two political party agents - referencing the strength of the frontrunners as identified in our pre-election report. We also note that 12% of observers reported the presence of agents from three parties, showing the prospect of strong support for third force parties in some parts of the state. Yet, this is concerning because broader representation by party agents would have enhanced the robustness of election observation. In a time when the judiciary faces accusations of partiality, data collected from party agents is crucial for presenting credible evidence in court.
INEC Preparedness and Deployment
The CDD-EAC commends the prompt arrival of electoral officials at polling units, with 99% of our observers reporting that the INEC officials were at their stations before 8:30am.
Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS)
The CDD-EAC applauds that there was at least one Bimodal Voter Accreditation System in all the polling units we observed, with 90% recording at least one polling unit and the others recording two systems. We will actively monitor the collation and result upload process to see if the machines were dutifully used at all stages of the election process.
At Akua l Post Office premises in Akungba Akoko LGA, Akoko South West, CDD-EAC observers reported a case of malfunctioning BVAS. Attempts to capture the finger print of both the elderly and younger voters, were not successful, leading to delays in the voting process. Observers also reported cases of rowdiness in the polling environment with youth disagreeing in some cases about the initiative by poll officials to allow elderly voters to cast their ballots first. At Akua l, polling unit 001, Post Office Premises, Akungba Akoko, Akoko South West, the rowdiness necessitated the intervention of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO). CDD observers reported that the standoff led to the disruption of the voting process.
Observers reported some challenges with the BVAS but overall, most of the challenges were effectively dealt with in less than 30 minutes. At Akure North LGA, Ward 5, PU 13 (Gloryland Primary School), voters raised concerns when INEC officials failed to visibly display the machine’s zero count before beginning accreditation. In some locations, the BVAS machine failed to recognize registered voters, as seen in Ondo East LGA, Ward 002, PU 002 (Dispensary/Bolorunduro Odo-Aladura Health Centre), where only half of the affected voters had been successfully accredited by mid-morning.
Attitude of Security Personnel
Security agencies were reported to be present. Security agencies were observed at all the polling units monitored by the CDD. The security officials contributed to crowd control; however, minimal efforts were made to prevent vote buying and open campaigning at the polling units.
Electoral Offences
The CDD-EAC notes with concern that, despite the efforts of different agencies and groups during the elections, that there were observed breaches of electoral procedures during the polls. These incidents reiterate the worries shared prior to the election about the intent of some actors in compromising the integrity of the poll.
CDD-EAC notes that 8.8% of our observers saw canvassing for votes near the polling unit, including the presence of campaign posters, people soliciting for votes, wearing of materials with party logos and materials as well as some agents actively buying votes.
Vote Trading
CDD-EAC notes a lot of instances of vote buying. In Okitipupa LGA, Ward 09, Unit 003 (Irowa, Ilutitun 3), voters were solicited for their votes, with APC allegedly offering ₦10,000 per voter and PDP ₦3,000. In Odigbo LGA, Ward 01, Unit 001 (Oja Baale, Agbabu), reports of vote-buying were noted, with APC allegedly offering ₦10,000 and PDP ₦5,000 per voter. Our observers also noted that some party agents started transferring money to voters to circumvent having to hold cash. In Ese-Odo, Ward 07, Unit 013 (Tari Ama Zion Ugo Community, Arogbo Ward 2), Vote-buying was observed at this polling unit, with PDP offering ₦3,000 and APC offering ₦5,000 to voters.
Vote buying and other forms of inducement were prevalent from the start of the poll. CDD observers watching the process in Ward 5, PU 001, located at St Johns Primary School, Iba Akoko South East spotted APC leaders writing down the names of those who voted for their candidate. Subsequently, a card was given to them and they were instructed to converge at an agreed location where cash would be disbursed to them.
In Ward 005, PU 001, St Barnabas Primary School, Ifon, CDD-EAC observers saw policemen arguing over money shared by a party stalwart. The policemen reportedly frowned that about ten of them were given one hundred thousand, while only one official from another branch of the armed services allegedly got N15,000.
The situation was similar in Ondo Central senatorial district where several polling units witnessed incidents of vote buying. In Ifedore LGA, Ward 1, PU 12 (Olafare), political party agents distributed tally marks and coupons to voters. These were later presented at designated locations to claim monetary rewards. Similarly, in Ondo East LGA, Ward 002, PU 002 (Dispensary/Bolorunduro Odo-Aladura Health Centre), party agents strategically positioned themselves to monitor voters' choices, offering financial incentives after the votes were cast. In places where the practice of “see and buy” was difficult, because of the presence of security personnel, voters were seen capturing their ballot with phones and presented as proof to be paid.
At Akure North LGA, Ward 5, PU 13 (Gloryland Primary School), tensions flared over a requirement for voters to display their choices publicly before casting their ballots. Many objected to this practice, arguing it violated the confidentiality of the voting process. The disagreement led to heated arguments, with security personnel stepping in to mediate. The behaviour of party agents sparked multiple conflicts during the voting process. In Idanre LGA, Ward 06, PU 004 (Methodist High School), APC agents were accused of strategically monitoring voters' choices, a move initially defended by security officials but later curtailed after protests. In another incident at Ifedore LGA, Ward 1, PU 12 (Olafare), a confrontation arose when an APC agent attempted to assist a person with disabilities in voting, which was strongly opposed by a PDP agent. This dispute escalated into a physical altercation, requiring security intervention to restore order.
Disinformation and Information Manipulation
The CDD Countering Disinformation War Room has been closely watching online and offline spaces with the objective of tracking and fact-checking fake news and misinformation. The numbers of false narratives, claims and counter claims in the Ondo State Governorship election have been relatively low, when compared to other recent polls.
In the campaign period, and on Election Day, 13 claims have so far been reported and fact checked by CDD War Room. This is low, when compared to the 61 claims reported during the same period in the Edo election, representing a 79% increase between the two elections. While 12 of these claims have been assessed to be either false or misleading, the sole claim peddled on voting day was adjudged to be true.
Voter Suppression
CDD-EAC observers similarly reported incidents of voter suppression at Akoko North West, Oke Agbe Ward 3, Unit 17. At the polling unit, APC supporters overpowered the PDP agents and that security officials did not initially interfere until they were prompted to do so. Observers note that some officials and security personnel reported that they were under obligation to deliver this polling unit and referred to it being the polling unit of the Minister of Interior.
Conclusion
While our subsequent statement will look at other electoral processes in detail, we note with concern that as at 2:30pm, 52% of our observers reported instances of people not allowed to vote owed to some challenges around the accreditation process such as people not being on the voter register and some not having their PVCs.
We also note extensive instances of voters marking ballots, agents distributing money and brazen attempts to suppress voters in certain parts of the state. Perhaps most worryingly, a large number of our observers note low voter turnout and polling units being able to close early. CDD-EAC observers will continue to keep a close watch on the election up until voting ends, and counting and collation of results begin. Further updates on findings will be provided at the end of voting.
CDD commends voters in Ondo for the calm and peaceful manner in which they have conducted all through this process so far. We urge all stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure adherence to the rule of law and due process as the election, collation and declaration of results leads to the point of conclusion.
Signed
Prof. Victor Adetula Dr. Dauda Garuba
Lead, CDD-EAC Observation Mission Ondo 2024 Director, CDD-West Africa
For media enquiries, please contact Valeria Ogide (vogide@cddwestafrica.org or +2349014667218). Press statements are also available at www.cddwestafrica.org/press-releases and other reports cited and referenced are available at www.cddwestafrica.org. CDD-West Africa is available on social media platforms with the handle - CDDWestAfrica