The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) , Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, on Tuesday, said the Commission would soon announce the recruitment process of Ad-hoc staff to be engaged for the forthcoming Chairmanship and Councillorship elections in the state.
Olagunju, while featuring on a Yoruba live program in Ibadan, hinted that the successful applicants will be engaged for the election, scheduled for 27th April, 2024 .
He noted that adequate training will be given to successful applicants with support from staffers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reliable experts in the field of election management for optimum performance.
He added that the training would be done zone by zone for them to have a better understanding of their duties and responsibilities on election day.
On security, Olagunju explained that the commission is not relenting in its efforts to achieve a peaceful election through the support of the security agencies.
He warned residents not to engage in vote buying and other unlawful acts on the day of election.
According to him, ” Electoral offenses attracts different penalties and fines from 12 months to 10 years imprisonment or # 100,000 to # 50,000,000.
Olagunju explained that the mode of the election remains open secret ballot, stressed that residents would have access to results online from the polling units through designated applications .
While enumerating the functions and importance of local government, Olagunju, harped on the need for residents to play their part in the development of their community.
“I must commend the political parties for the understanding, we hold meetings regularly and there is no misconception.
“In 2021, we gave 90 days notice for the election, but this 2024, 365 days was given as a result of the new electoral law.
“Also, we had about 10 court cases relating to party primaries before election in 2021, as we speak, we have no court case.”
“We are going to announce the recruitment process of the ad-hoc staff very soon. Training of staff is compulsory, it will be on zoning basis, we cannot have the training in a place or at a goal because of their population”
“Campaign has been lifted since last year December, and we thank political parties, citizens and residents for willing to participate in the local government councils elections .
