Oyo state’s eligible voters have been assured of a hitch-free election on Saturday, April 27. They are urged to come out en masse without fear of any misdemeanors, malpractices, or violence from any quarters.
Giving this reassurance to the people on Sunday morning during a BCOS radio program titled “Eyi Ara,” featuring the duo of OYSIEC chairman, Aare Isiaka Olagunju, and the Oyo State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Olukemi Afolayan, they jointly allayed the fears of voters, assuring that everything has been properly arranged to prevent any hiccups during the election.
Therefore, they called on the voters to come and vote for candidates of their choice.
While speaking on the importance of the Local Government election, Dr. Afolayan stated that the people of Oyo state are about to set the pace with the coming election as it reinforces the participatory nature of democracy. Dr. Afolayan added that before now, Local Government elections in states were considered the exclusive right of the political parties in power; hence, other parties stayed aloof. But the reverse is the case now, with over nineteen opposition parties gleefully participating in the election because of the confidence and trust they have in Barrister Olagunju-led OYSIEC to conduct a silky-smooth election where votes will count without fear or favor.
The NOA Director said the election will provide a template on how to conduct credible and acceptable Local Government elections for other states to emulate. Dr. Afolayan emphasized that Local Government authority is very important as they are the most accessible to the people and provide basic public services such as primary health care, environmental sanitation, primary education, and others.
The OYSIEC chairman, Aare Isiaka Olagunju, reiterated that only citizens with voter cards can be eligible to vote, and no other form of identification will be entertained.
The OYSIEC chairman assured that electoral violence will be prevented, as anyone who flouts the peace order risks a 7-year jail term if found guilty by the law courts.
Aare Olagunju also assured that votes will be counted and transmitted at the polling units in an open glare of all accordingly, and late arrival of materials will not occur as every local government, near or far, would have received theirs before Friday.
Barrister Olagunju affirmed that only citizens who have voter cards will be allowed to vote.
The OYSIEC chairman further stated that there will be no movement of vehicles from 6 am to 3 pm on the day of the election. He highlighted that additional polling units have been created by INEC for smooth conduct.
In her reaction to how her Agency, NOA, has been working tirelessly to conduct voter awareness and education, Dr. Olukemi Afolayan said the incidence of multiple voting, void votes, and other electoral violence will be mitigated as people are now properly enlightened.
Signed,
Isiaka Adeniyi
Head of Media and Publicity, Oyo State NOA.