The Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) has called for urgent measures to protect women, persons with disabilities and elderly voters ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
WIPF President, Ebere Ifendu, said the safety of vulnerable voters must be prioritised as the state prepares for the election amid reports of political violence and heightened tension.
In a statement, the forum said 13 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas had been identified as hotspots following reports of violence and rising political tension.
The organisation also drew attention to a women-led protest in Osogbo on Monday, August 10, against alleged intimidation, killings and political violence.
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The forum therefore called on security agencies to act professionally and impartially while urging relevant authorities to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Ifendu said women remained critical stakeholders in the electoral process as voters, polling officials, party agents, journalists and observers, despite limited female representation among governorship candidates.
She noted that only one woman, Yemisi Adeagbo of the African Democratic Party (ADP), is contesting the governorship election.
The WIPF President also called for the protection of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the first woman to occupy the position in the state.
On persons with disabilities and elderly voters, Ifendu urged INEC to ensure that promised accessibility measures are available at polling units.
She said these measures include Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, large-print materials and assistive listening support, as well as priority voting arrangements for persons with disabilities and elderly voters.
Meanwhile, security agencies have announced the deployment of about 15,000 personnel across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Ifendu noted the Nigeria Police Force’s warning against ballot snatching, voter intimidation, vote buying and clashes, as well as INEC’s deployment of 5,130 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, with 1,328 backup units, across 3,763 polling units.
Following INEC’s commitment that “the ballot, not the bullet” will determine the outcome of the election, WIPF urged security agencies to provide visible and impartial protection, particularly in identified high-risk areas.
The forum also urged political parties and candidates to uphold the peace accord while calling on election observers and the media to closely monitor the safety and participation of vulnerable voters.
Ifendu said the credibility of the election would depend not only on its outcome but also on the ability of every voter to exercise their franchise safely and with dignity.
