Dr Mutiu Agboke, the recently appointed INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun, has announced the end of election rigging in the nation.
Speaking to employees of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday in Osogbo, the state capital, Agboke made this statement.
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System(BVAS) was added to the system, he claimed, making it impossible for the election process to be manipulated in any way under the current circumstances.
He said that the new technology has "technically murdered" all election cheating in the nation.
The new REC promised to uphold the tenets of the Commission by ensuring that people’s Votes are counted in the 2023 general elections.
“My responsibility is to uphold the value of INEC, and the value of INEC is to ensure that the people’s vote count in the election that will be conducted.
”I want to assure the electorate in the state that we will not disallow them from getting the fruit of the votes, and the fruit of their votes is to vote in a direction, and get results in that direction.
“The era of rigging is gone. Rigging has been technically murdered by our process and procedure, and that is what BVAS has come to achieve,” he said.
Continuing, the REC said, ”So, in the 2023 election, INEC will ensure that the vote of the people of Osun is recognised, and not only recognised but also reflect the desire of the people of Osun.
” Nobody will be deprived of his right to cast his or her vote, and the commission will do the needful at all times”
Agboke also urged members of staff of the commission to ensure that their attitude to work changed for the better, in line with the rule of engagement. He also urged them to be responsible, and dutiful and avoid truancy.
”Being responsible during this period is very key because we are moving towards the 2023 general elections.
“If you are lackadaisical now, what kind of action will you carry to the election? Our staff must be up and doing,” he said. In his remarks, the Administrative Secretary of the Commission in the state, Akanni Oduntan, said members of staff would not disappoint the new REC.
”We are happy about your coming. We want to assure you that we will not disappoint you,” he assured.