INEC Holds Methodology Workshop on deployment of EVMAT towards Ondo State 2024 Governorship Election at Akure
Oru Leonard
The EVMAT Methodology Workshop organized by The Electoral Institute (TEI) INEC, was held at the Grand Capital Hotel, Alagbaka, Ondo State.
The REC of Ondo State Barr., Oluwatoyin Babalola, in company of the State Admin., and HoD Operations, Alhaji Biodun Amosun, and Alhaji Lamidi Amusa, graced the occasion.
The REC Ondo represented the Chair BEI, Prof. Abdullah Abdu Zuru, and read his Opening Speech at the Workshop. While declaring the workshop open, the Chair BEI thanked the Hon. Chairman, INEC and the Commission for approving the deployment of the EVMAT. He welcomed all the participants and explained that there is the need to change the mind set of people that elections are always associated with violence and approached all elections with the sprit of sportsmanship.
He explained that EVMAT is an instrument designed by the Commission to illicit responses from the populace on some likely triggers of election violence which are subsequently analysed to identify possible flashpoints before every election. He concluded his speech by declaring the workshop opened.
The Director-General (DG) of The Electoral Institute (TEI) Dr Sa’ad Umar Idris, through the Director Research and Documentation, Prof. Ibrahim Sani, welcomed all the participants – the Field Agents who have been carefully selected for the deployment of the Commission’s EVMAT. He explained that EVMAT is a life saving tool and should be understood as such. He called on the participants to take the training seriously as it is the barometre for testing the pulse of the likely occurence of Violence, and through which the Commission, Security Agencies and other critical stakeholders are advised on mitigating measures to avert the occurence of violence.
The Honourable REC Ondo, in her goodwill message appreciated the Commission and urged the Field Agents to be attentive and handle the whole process with all seriousness. You must, she insisted, realised that all of you were carefully selected, which means you must reciprocate the trust and confidence the Commission reposes in you. As you are all set for deployment to the field, I wish you a successful research outing.
Participants were taken through several presentations including an overview of the EVMAT Research Methodology, EVMAT Instrument and its protocols of administration as well as its Survey.
