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The Chairman, Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Cornelius Akintayo, has said that the body is ready to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible local government elections in the state.
Akintayo, who said that necessary measures had been put in place by the body to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process, urged election stakeholders to cooperate with the commission for a hitch-free exercise on December 12.
The EKSIEC chairman spoke in Ado Ekiti on Thursday at a stakeholders’ meeting, which had in attendance the leadership of political parties, police, National Orientation Agency, Department of State Services, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Independent National Electoral Commission, among others.
Recall that EKSIEC had fixed December 12, 202,6 as the date for elections for the positions of chairmen and councillors in the local governments and local council development areas elections in the state.
The tenure of the present chairmen and councillors in the LGs and LCDAs in the state will lapse in December.
Akintayo said, “EKSIEC is prepared for the conduct of credible and fair local government elections billed for December 12. The commission is determined to deliver elections that will be transparent, accountable and free from violence.
“Stakeholders are urged to show commitment and dedication to democracy. We must ensure that local government elections continue to improve. These elections should be regarded as an important exercise in which people and stakeholders must participate because of the closeness of local governments to the grassroots”.
The EKSIEC Chairman urged all registered political parties “to fully participate in the election by fielding candidates. You must ensure you conduct your primaries in line with the law”.
Akintayo, who encouraged eligible residents to register and collect their voter cards, disclosed that massive sensitisation and mobilisation would be carried out across the state to ensure widespread awareness and participation in the council polls.
He called on community leaders, government officials and religious leaders to educate residents on the importance of voting, describing it as a fundamental civic responsibility.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, who said local government elections were critical to effective grassroots governance, assured EKSIEC and residents that the police would provide adequate security and act professionally before, during, and after the exercise to ensure a peaceful process.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (retd) urged residents to actively participate in the elections.
Ogundana, who described Ekiti as one of the safest states in the country, assured that “security agencies will work around the clock to maintain peace throughout the election period”.
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