By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) and the Oyo State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Sunday said the April 27 local government polls in Oyo State would be hitch free and credible.
OYSIEC Chairman, Aare Isiaka Olagunju (SAN) and the NOA Director in the state, Dr Olukemi Afolayan gave the assurance while featuring on a BCOS radio programme Eyi Ara, the OYSIEC Chairman, Aare Olagunju, (SAN) said the Commission is ready to conduct free, fair and credible elections come this Saturday.
Aare Isiaka Olagunju (SAN) while speaking said there will be no going back in the commission readiness for a credible local government.
The OYSIEC Chairman maintained that only citizens with voters cards can be eligible to vote and no other form of identification will be entertained and that additional polling units have been created by INEC for smooth conduct.
He declared that electoral violence will be prevented as anyone flouting the peaceful order risk a 7 years jail term if found guilty by the law courts and votes will be counted and transmitted at the polling units in an open glare of all accordingly and late arrival of materials will not occur as every local governments near or far would have received theirs before Friday.
Aare Olagunju stressed that there will be no movement of vehicles from 6am to 3pm on the day of the election .
Oyo State NOA Director, Dr Olukemi Afolayan while speaking on the election said the people of the
state are about to set pace with the coming election as it reinforces the participatory nature of democracy.
Dr. Afolayan stressed before now the local government election in states were considered the exclusive right of the political parties in power, hence other parties stayed aloof but reverse is the case now that over 19 opposition parties are participating in the election because of the confidence and trust they have in Barrister Olagunju led OYSIEC to conduct a silky smooth election where votes will count without fear or favour.
The NOA Director maintained that the election will provide a template on how to conduct credible and acceptable local government for other states to emulate, adding that local government authority is very important as they are the most accessible to the people e and provide basic public services such as Primary health care , environmental Sanitation , primary education and others.
On how NOA has been working tirelessly to conduct voters awareness and educating the people, Dr Afolayan said the incidence of multiple voting , void votes and other electoral violence will be mitigated as people are now properly enlightened.
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