Ahead of the upcoming local government elections on February 22, 2025, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) has announced plans to recruit over 8,000 adhoc staff to facilitate smooth electoral operations across the state. This move aims to ensure that the elections are conducted efficiently, but questions linger about whether this scale of recruitment can truly guarantee transparency and fairness.
The OSSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye, made the announcement during a visit by members of the Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government. Abioye reassured stakeholders that the commission was well-prepared for the elections, emphasizing its autonomy and the absence of interference from the state governor, Ademola Adeleke. He further assured the public that the commission would maintain impartiality throughout the electoral process.
Despite the commission’s readiness, Abioye highlighted that while technology would play a role in recruitment and monitoring, the election process would not be fully electronic. Results will not be transmitted digitally, though the commission has put in place equipment to monitor activities at polling units. This blend of technology and traditional processes raises concerns about how effective the monitoring system will be in ensuring a transparent election.
As the commission moves closer to the elections, with the recruitment process already underway through a designated portal, some are questioning whether 8,000 adhoc staff will be sufficient to handle the logistics of such a large-scale election. As the political atmosphere heats up, OSSIEC’s ability to maintain its independence and oversee a credible election will be under intense scrutiny.