The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju ,SAN, has charged residents of the state to attach importance to Local Government Councils Election and vote en masse on election day as demonstrated in the last General Elections.
Aare Olagunju gave the charge on Sunday during a Yoruba live radio program in Ibadan, stressing that it was high time for citizens to accord local government election necessary attention to get the desired development at the grassroots.
He hinted that adequate preparations have been made by the Commission to ensure the election is transparent and credible.
Olagunju, who revealed that the percentage of women vying for positions in the forthcoming local government councils election in the state is minimal, called on the leadership of political parties to come up with policies that will enable more women to participate in politics and also contest for elective offices without hindrances.
He advised the women not to entertain fear but develop interest in politics and showcase their potentials to benefit their communities.
Olagunju also admonished the nineteen (19) registered political parties participating in the polls and their candidates to intensify efforts on campaigns to aids massive turn out on April 27, 2024.
On the recruitment of the ad-hoc staff for the polls, Olagunju, said the Commission would soon complete the selection process and communicate successful applicants in due course.
While highlighting efforts made so far to have a free, fair, transparent and credible election, the Commission boss appealed to all and sundry to distance themselves from thuggery and other unlawful activities before, during and after the election.
He said :” 19 registered political parties are participating in the election scheduled for 27th April , 2024 and voter’s registers have been pasted for eligible voters to check their names.
“ By God’s grace, there won’t be any problem, election will be transparent, what remains now is residents participation, they should attach importance to local government council elections, prioritize it and vote for their preferred candidates like they did in the last presidential and governorship elections”
“ We will engage about 15,000 ad-hoc staff, about 40,000 people applied, and you know to pick the needed figures from the overall applications, it will not be easy, very soon, we will release the list of successful applicants”
“ Women contesting in the election are not many, political parties should have a quota to be given to women to participate, probably 10 to 20% for them to contribute their quota to the development of the state.