Oyo LG Polls: OYSIEC assures on credibility, trains electoral officers

Ahead of May 12, 2018, local government election in the state, the Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Mr Jide Ajeigbe on Friday reiterated the commitment of the commission to conducting a free, fair and credible election.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a day orientation training programme for the electoral officers to be deployed in the forthcoming council polls, the Chairman who noted that conducting elections is a serious business guided by relevant provisions in the country’s constitution said embarking on an open training for electoral officers is parts of measure by the OYSIEC to show its political neutrality and non-partisanship in the forthcoming elections.

The orientation training was attended by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr Paul Ogunola, OYSIEC Commissioners, other management team and the 139 electoral officers to be deployed for elections into the 33LGs and 35 Local Council Development Areas.

Assuring the political parties ahead of the election, the chairman said organizing the workshop is an indication that the electoral body will not compromise in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the state.

He said, “This is an orientation programme for the newly engaged electoral officers who will man the pools in the forthcoming local government elections. The trainings will be in different levels and INEC will be involved in the trainings to teach the electoral officers how to conduct election, conduct themselves and the roles they are to play in the election.

“We are getting prepared and doing all that is needful to achieve a better. We don’t have any serious at the moment and we are coping with our preparations. We are set and by my assessment of the electoral team, we are doing all within our powers to deliver a credible election.”

He pointed out that the presence of seasoned and experience resource persons in electoral matters to educate, orientate the electoral officers, Ajeigbe said the electoral body is committed to reducing the often emanating flaws that is associated with conduct of elections.

Tracing the political history of LG elections in the state, the Chief Executive Officer, Ameye Valour Ventures Limited noted that efforts at ensuring credible LG elections have always been like “smirching of eggs on the rock due to improper planning.”

He pointed out that the orientation LG electoral officers, which is the first in the political history of the state is an indication that the better days are ahead for the conduct of LG polls in the state.

Charging the ad-hoc electoral officers to take advantage of the trainings and help the state electoral umpire build a good name for itself, the electoral consultant enjoined other stakeholders in the state to do everything within their power to contribute to the success of the present electoral process in Oyo.

He added that the synergy of the stakeholders, particularly the political class, with the electoral body will no doubt uplift the state by ensuring it moves forward democratically at the grass root, through the well thought out electoral process in the state.

The participants were drawn from all the 33 LGs across the state.

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