Osun LGs Election: OSSIEC Assures Smooth, Credible Process

…’we have put in place perfect arrangements for successful outing’ – Chairman

Ahead of the February 22 local government election in the State, the Chairman of the Osun Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye said the commission would ensure a credible, free and fair election.

Abioye spoke on Wednesday during an interactive session with the the League of Veteran Journalists, Osun Chapter during its flagship programme , at the Press Center of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Osogbo.

He said that the commission was not unaware of some litigations in courts, saying it was part of the electoral process but the radar was clear for the commission to conduct the forthcoming election in the State.

He said, “We have been building on a solid foundation which is the notice of election. If we got it wrong from the notice, it will be a faulty one.

“Although, we have two litigations on this election but now we have one which has not been dismissed yet.”

The chairman also said that the commission did not disqualify any political party from participating in the election.

“We never disqualified any political candidates as been speculated because all parties conducted their primaries,” Abioye said.

He disclosed that the constitution of post election tribunal was on going by the Chief Judge of the state and that would not affect the election.

The OSSIEC Boss noted that the outcome of the election is paramount to every parties involved and must be conducted with collective responsibilities for credible, free and fair elections.

“We have sat down to contact legal professionals and we have been moving on the altar of legality and constitutionality.

“Also, we have issued guidelines and manuals for political parties. IPAC and other stakeholders have also seen our sincerity and we have made a significant progress”, he said.

Abioye, however, appeal to all political parties and other stakeholders to join hand with the commission to achieve its mandate of delivering credible polls.

The acting chairman, League of Veteran Journalists in Osun, Adeyeye Oyedokun commended the OSSIEC for working towards ensuring that the forthcoming local government election is a success.

Oyedokun assured that the media would continue to play its roles in sustaining the nation’s.

In his remarks, a retired Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Director, Emmanuel Agboola noted that a good legal framework and open door policies must be embraced by stakeholders for a successful election.

He said the success of the local government election on Feb.22 would be a template for electoral umpires in other States to emulate.