Ahead of the upcoming local government elections in Oyo State on Saturday, the Chairman of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Olagunju, has reaffirmed his commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible polls.
Speaking during a press briefing held at the OYSIEC secretariat in Ibadan, Olagunju urged residents to trust the electoral body’s dedication to a transparent process.
The OYSIEC Chairman highlighted that the election, scheduled from 8 am to 3 pm, will enforce restrictions on vehicular movement for non-essential workers.
This measure, according to him, aims to facilitate a seamless and flawless voting experience for citizens across the state.
He also stated that sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials have been successfully distributed to over fifteen councils, including the Oke-Ogun I, II, and Ogbomosho zones, with the distribution extending to the Ibadan zone on the following day.
Olagunju emphasised that security remains a top priority during the elections, with the deployment of approximately 15,000 personnel from various agencies, such as the Police, NSCDC, Immigration, and anti-corruption bodies.
The OYSIEC Chairman warned that any incidents of violence or threats of violence at the ward or local government levels could lead to the cancellation of electoral results.
He also noted that the final chairmanship results would be input into the IREV system and formally announced at the OYSIEC headquarters starting from 4 pm on Saturday.
As the election approaches, the OYSIEC Chairman’s assurances of a transparent process and dedication to a secure environment for voters emphasise the importance of these local government polls for the people of Oyo State.
