LASIEC, STAKEHOLDERS PARLEY ON BY-ELECTIONS
As part of the preparations for the conduct of Councillorship By-Elections into Ward B (Ogunoloko) and also Ward B (Dopemu) in Oshodi/Isolo and Agege Local Government Areas respectively, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has organised several stakeholders’ fora in the two Wards to interact with residents on the forthcoming by-elections.
Speaking during one of the events, the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips, urged the people in the two Wards to show interest and actively participate in the process of electing people who are deemed competent, dedicated and committed to the service of their people, adding that there would be no excuse for people to complain about lack of effective representation if they failed to elect candidates that would best represent their collective interest and aspirations.
Justice Phillips, whose address was delivered by an Electoral Commissioner of the Commission, Chief (Mrs.) Toyin Ibrahim- Famakinwa, also pointed out that since the power to decide who would be the new Councillor is primarily derived from their possession of the Permanent Voter Cards and putting the PVCs into use on the day of the by-elections, all registered eligible voters must ensure that they collect and use their Permanent Voter Cards.
The Chairman also pledged that the Commission would ensure that the elections were free, fair and credible and would guarantee that the people’s votes count to determine the candidate that would be declared the winner at the Collation Centre in each of the two affected Wards.
While appealing for continued support and cooperation from stakeholders towards the peaceful conduct of the bye-elections, Justice Phillips warned the youth and political thugs to desist from acts that can impede or cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process and the Commission.
She stressed that the warning became imperative as the Commission had resolved to sanction anybody that might cause a breach of the peace and frustrate the efforts of the LASIEC towards ensuring hitch-free elections.
Responding to a plea on the need for the Commission to maintain neutrality as an electoral umpire, a Commissioner of LASIEC, Prof. Tunde Babawale, affirmed the independent status of the Commission, promising that it was resolute in the commitment to the sanctity of its independence.
He assured that the Commission would continue to do everything within its power to improve its performance as the leading State Independent Electoral Commission in the country.
The forthcoming by-elections are being conducted as a result of the death of Mr. Olumuyiwa Olusina and Mr. Olayemi Beckley of Ward B (Ogunoloko) and Ward B (Dopemu) in Oshodi/ Isolo and Agege Local Governments respectively.