The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, has said that the goal of the commission is to have inclusive participation by political parties in the state during the local government council elections slated for May 15, 2021.
Aare Olagunju, made this known while receiving members of the Conference of Civil Society Organizations, Oyo State Branch, who were on a courtesy call to the OYSIEC office, Agodi Quarters, Ibadan.
Olagunju noted that plans have been made to curb vote-buying and other election misconducts, through the support of security agencies.
He said, “Our goal is to have all-inclusive elections, we have a strong collaboration with the security agencies, and they have assured us of total support on the day of election”
“Vote buying is a great offence’ and security personnel will take care of that by ensuring agents of such are made scapegoats”.
While enumerating the steps taken so far towards having a credible election, Olagunju hinted that the commission would seek the consent of political parties as regards the credibility of ad-hoc staff to be shortlisted soon.
He appealed to prospective voters in the state to troop out en-masse and exercise their civil rights on election day, for the commission to achieve its vision of having free, fair, credible and transparent local government council elections.
“We are glad to have you today, the commission is planning to accommodate certified non-governmental organizations for much anticipated local government council elections”
“In fact, we have received letters from both local and international observers, willing to be on ground on the election day”.
“Political parties are gradually signifying interests in the poll and we are assuring them of a level playing field come May 15, 2021”.
In his remarks, the Group Chairman, Conference of Civil Society Organizations, Oyo state, Comrade Fajenbola Kunle, said the announcement of local government council election date and engagement of members of the commission with stakeholders, necessitated the visit, for the group to identify where to support the commission to achieve credible poll.
Comrade Fajenbola, however, advised the commission members to treat political parties equally to aids total participation.
