A good governance advocate, Oluwatosin Babatunde, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to disenfranchise newly registered voters and those who transferred their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Babatunde made the appeal on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Osogbo, saying every eligible voter who has complied with the electoral guidelines should be given the opportunity to participate in the governorship poll.

According to him, denying qualified voters the right to vote would not only violate their constitutional rights but could also cast doubt on the credibility and inclusiveness of the election.

He said, “The right to vote is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy. Every citizen who has successfully registered to vote or transferred his or her voter registration to Osun State in line with INEC’s guidelines deserves to participate in the August 15 governorship election.

“INEC must ensure that no eligible voter is denied the opportunity to exercise his or her civic responsibility due to administrative or logistical challenges. Doing otherwise would amount to disenfranchisement and could erode public confidence in the electoral process.”

The good governance advocate stressed that the electoral body has a constitutional responsibility to conduct elections that are free, fair, credible and inclusive, adding that every lawful vote should count irrespective of when the voter registered or transferred his or her registration.

Babatunde further appealed to INEC to ensure the timely distribution of Permanent Voter Cards and the publication of an accurate final voters’ register to enable all eligible voters to participate in the election without hindrance.

He also called on political parties, civil society organisations, election observers and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at promoting peaceful campaigns and issue-based politics before, during and after the governorship election.

According to him, protecting the voting rights of every eligible citizen remains essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and sustaining public confidence in the nation’s electoral process.

Babatunde expressed optimism that with transparency, fairness and strict adherence to the Electoral Act, the Osun governorship election would serve as another milestone in the country’s democratic journey.