The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) says that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) handling of Saturday’s Osun governorship election was indicative of what to expect in the 2023 general elections.

In the group’s post-election statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, TMG chairman Auwal Rafsanjani commended critical stakeholders, especially INEC for complying with the provisions of the Electoral Act during the July 16 guber election.

He said the Osun governorship election and Ekiti generated high expectations among citizens all over the country, reflecting citizens’ expectations toward 2023 elections, especially concerning reforms instituted by the new Electoral Act, 2022, as amended.

Also commending the media and civil society groups for ensuring a peaceful process, Mr Rafsanjani said that “TMG observed the electioneering process and expressed satisfaction at the high level of voters’ mobilisation by the media and civil society groups.”

He added that TMG noted voters’ interests in the election debates, which ensured critical interactions with citizens as part of entrenching issue-based campaigns.

The election observation organisation noted, however, that vote buying still prevailed and advised voters to stop selling their future to get good governance, submitting that vote buying would not provide good governance, transparent and accountable leadership.

The group also urged security operatives to conduct themselves diligently to secure the trust of the electorate, even as the country gears up for the 2023 general elections.

(NAN)