Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Osun State, on Thursday were trained on effective election mobilization and voter education ahead the state’s governorship election.
An election monitoring non-governmental organization, YIAGA Africa, who organized the training urged the CSOs to engage political stakeholders on the need for a credible, free and fair election in the state.
YIAGA Africa trained the Civil Society Organizations on how to mobilize first time voters to participate in the state election on July 16, 2022.
Speaking during the workshop in Osogbo, YIAGA Africa’s Head of Elections, Mr. Paul James, said that the programme organized to expose CSOs to the organization’s election observation methodology and its plan to deploy Parallel Vote Tabulation during the election.
James, who noted that CSOs are important stakeholders in the electoral processes, said their role in educating citizens about preparatory activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission and other stakeholders could not be overemphasized.
He charged the representatives of the CSOs to educate the political gladiators on the danger of vote buying, monetary inducement and other negative vices capable of undermining credible electoral processes.
He added that the organization would work towards ensuring that residents of the state come out on masse to participate in the voting exercise, without fear of molestation or intimidation.
“One thing we commend the people of Osun for is having good participation in the electoral processes. If you check INEC statistics today, Osun is one the state that has the highest registers voters that will participate in both the state and federal elections.
“This workshop is to get the commitment from CSOs on the mobilization of the new registered voters to participate in the election.
“For instance, INEC has introduced more than 500 polling units in the state. Osun used to have 3010 polling units, but now we have 3763 polling units.
“We expect CSOs to identify locations of these polling units and also help voters to identify the newly created polling units.
“We want the CSOs to be more proactive as the election draw closer. We can use this period to engage both the citizens and other election stakeholders to ensure we have a hitch-free election”, he said.
James averred that YIAGA Africa would continue to remain unbiased, adding that the organization is only interested in a free, fair and credible election.
Representatives of CSOs at the training workshop promised to be committed to the mobilization of voters for the election.
They also promised to support free, credible and fair election in the state.
In its efforts to uplift peaceful coexistence and national development, a non-governmental organization, Search For Common Ground (SFCG) has charged media practitioners on solution-oriented journalism.
SFCG pointed out that the media has a strategic role to play in the nation’s development and must desist from biased reportage and hate speech.
Speaking at the end of a 4-day workshop for journalists on Thursday in Osogbo, the National Media Specialist of SFCG, Mr Temisan Etielsola called for a democratic approach to reporting.
Etielsola explained that incitement to cause harm, expressions that hurt feelings of a public office holder or community are forms of hate speech that could cause havoc.
He added that conflict not well managed with factual and objective information leads to violence causing loss of lives and properties.
“The media has immense power to shape the way people, communities and the society look at issues. It possesses the power to change the dynamics of conflict to the benefit of all.
“Conflict is inevitable but violence is not. Conflict is a natural result of human diversity.
“When we deal with conflict adversarial it sparks polarization and violence but when we collaborate, conflict is transformed and catalyses’ positive change,” Etielsola stated.
Also speaking, the Project’s Media Coordinator of SFCG, Perry Tukuwei urged journalists to avoid sensational reportage and develop a critical mindsets that would promote peaceful coexistence in the country.
He charged print and broadcast journalists as well as bloggers to replace hate speeches and violence-igniting reports with solution-oriented reports.
