In preparation for the upcoming local government election in Oyo State, the state’s House of Assembly has engaged the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) to further explain the rationale behind the guidelines for the upcoming local government election.
The meeting was held at the Caucus Room of the Parliament House of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Secretariat, Ibadan.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and State Honour, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, said that the meeting is to allow OYSIEC to enlighten the House and the general public the details of the guidelines released by the Commission.
He said that the meeting served as an intervention of the House to ensure the readiness of the Commission towards conducting not only smooth, but free and credible local government elections.
Hon. Olajide said that the move was inspired by the calls from the people and relevant stakeholders in various local governments across the state occasioned by the guidelines released by the Commission.
The lawmaker expressed readiness of the House to work with the state electoral Commission to achieve peaceful and credible polls come may 2024.
The Chairman of the Commission, Aare Isiaka Olagunju, in his response, said that the guidelines released by the OYSIEC is line with Section 28 of the Constitution, which is to give 360 days notice before the conduct of the local government election.
He explained further that the tenure of the elected local government chairmen in Oyo State is 3 years and in order not to leave a vacuum in the local government administration, called for the Commission to take the necessary step.
Olagunju also added that the time frame will give all intending political parties leverage to prepare themselves for the exercise and settle disputes that may arise in the conduct of primaries.
The Commission boss, while clarifying that the conduct of the primary elections is strictly the business of the political parties, he emphasized that the Permanent Voter’s Card is the only means of taking part in the election by the registered voters.
Olagunju maintained that the Commission will wait for the proposed amendment of the state electoral law by the House before a decision is made on the use of BVAS.
He noted that the Commission is working to consolidate on its achievements to ensure that all registered political parties participate in the upcoming election.
The meeting was attended by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Dele Adeola and Hon. Rilwan Gbadamosi.
The local government election according to the guidelines released by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) will be held on April 27, 2024.
