The Oyo state Independent Electoral Commission have been commended for putting all necessary measures in place to ensure that no resident of Oyo state is disenfranchised in the just concluded local government elections in the state.
The commendation was given by the Special Assistant to Oyo state Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde on OYSIEC, Hon Tallest Innocent while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday shortly after monitoring proceedings within Ido local Government Area of the state during the rescheduled Local Government Chairmanship and Ward councilorship election in the Area.
Tallest said: “I must commend the Oyo state Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) for deciding to reschedule the election. The decision is justified and in line with Governor Seyi Makinde’s promise to organize an election that will reflect the opinion of the people of the state. No voter deserves to be disenfranchised. As you already know, the cancellation became necessary because the logo of the Zenith Labour Party did not appear on the ballot paper which OYSIEC promptly took responsibility for, and set plans in motion to address that.”
“The commission took the right decision in its capacity and has made sure that Ido people are able to choose their leaders without sidelining any party or aspirants. All candidates have been afforded the level playing ground and whoever emerges at the end of the day, will be a reflection of the popular will of the people.”
The special Assistant equally described the turn out of voters as impressive, noting that people were eager to participate in the election due to the level playing ground afforded by the Government of the state and the non-partisan disposition of the electoral body: “the turn out is impressive. In all the areas I visited, people were seen as early as 8:30am, queuing up for accreditation and voting. This shows that majority of the people have confidence in the process and the ability of OYSIEC to deliver a free, fair and credible election. As you know, this is a long process of painstaking preparation and the people have reciprocated that by trooping out en-masse to vote for their preferred candidates”
Hon. Tallest also appreciated the police and other security agencies for maintaining the needed presence in all the polling units thereby giving voters the confidence to cast their votes without intimidation.
