LG POLLS: Oyo Requested For Bvas To Protect Election Integrity.
The State Government has assured the nation that it will break the jinx of lack of integrity for local government elections during the April 27 polls.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade said this while beaming light into the readiness of government for the election exercise.
He said the fact that 19 political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, APC, will participate in the election is a testimony that the state government and the Oyo state independent electoral commission, OYSIEC, are trusted to midwife the election.
Prince Oyelade said the governor has cooperated fully with OYSIEC to provide a level playing ground without interference from any quarters.
The Commissioner said that it is on record that Oyo is the only state in the federation that requested for Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, BVAS, from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the conduct of the local government election.
According to the OYSIEC Chairman, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, although, INEC did not grant OYSIEC’s request on BVAS, measures have been put in place to ensure the transparency and accountability of the election.
He said since the announcement of the local government election about a year ago, OYSIEC has been in constant engagement with all registered political parties and stakeholders in the state to ensure a smooth exercise, while encouraging them to desist from any form of intimidation or harassment.
He disclosed that sensitive materials are ready and the appointments of Ad-Hoc Staff have been carried out.