The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, has called for collaborative efforts from major stakeholders in the conduct of elections at the grassroots to have free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections come April 27, 2024.
Olagunju, who made the call on Monday while featuring on a live radio program in Ibadan, submitted that election conduct should not be left in the hands of electoral managers alone.
He explained that it was essential for relevant stakeholders to play their roles accordingly for the electoral body in the country to achieve its mandate at ease.
While applauding the 19 registered political parties participating in the next election for the robust relationships and support received so far, Olagunju solicited for continued support of the security agencies and entire residents of the state to have a peaceful and acceptable local government councils election in 2024.
He noted that the goal of the commission is to have an election that is credible and transparent, saying that concerted efforts would be made to raise more awareness on voter education for a better outcome in the next election.
On the plan by OYSIEC to adopt the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) for the election, the OYSIEC boss affirmed that voting will be done manually using ballot papers being used by the electorates.
He added that using BIVAS for the election if approved by INEC has nothing to do with the usual voting pattern, but will only promote transparency during the accreditation and confirmation of voter’s eligibility by electoral officers.
“When we came in 2020, there was a trust deficit and lack of confidence in the commission by residents of the state. We went to the 33-local governments in the state to raise awareness of the election, and we thank God that voter turnout in the 2021 election conducted by us was much more than the previous elections.
“In 2021, 17 registered political parties participated in the election, this time, all the 19 registered political parties in the country are participating, and I must thank these political parties for the trust and confidence they have in us.
“Our responsibility is to conduct the election according to the law and this will promise the entire residents of the state.
“Achieving success during the election requires collective efforts, everybody must participate. Political parties need to mobilize their people orderly, provide agents to monitor their ballots, security agents must be on ground to prevent intimidation of voters and ensure a peaceful election; electorates must also come out enmasse and vote for their preferred candidates.
“Our watchword is transparency and credibility, we want everyone to participate, on our part, and we will create more awareness for a better outcome in the next election.
“The BIVAS we are planning to use is just for accreditation. We will make use of ballot paper and electorates to thumbprint, appealing to our people to conduct themselves peacefully, whether BIVAS or not, we are determined to have a credible election,” Olagunju Added.
