The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), and the leadership of the political parties have adopted the use of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) as the sole means of identification to present by voters in the forthcoming local Government Councils Election in the state.
The agreement was reached by both parties at the end of the meeting held on Thursday at the Conference Room of the Commission’s Headquarters, Ibadan.
Addressing the executives and representatives of the political parties, the OYSIEC Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN said the purpose of the engagement was to give an update on progress made by the commission and dialogue on how to achieve free, fair, transparent and credible elections, come 2024.
Olagunju, who lauded the political parties for their readiness to participate in the election, harped on the need for all and sundry to allow the will of the masses to prevail on election day.
He called on political parties to intensify efforts on voter education and ensure their followers abide by the electoral law so as to have violence free election.
On screening of candidates, Olagunju submitted that it became imperative to interface with the candidates and verify the documents submitted to prevent unforeseen circumstances.
He sought the support and cooperation of the political parties towards achieving a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful election.
“Let me appreciate the turn-out and your readiness to participate in the upcoming local government councils election.
“I want to appeal to you to do your homework properly, make the job simpler for the commission by presenting qualified candidates, this will assist us a lot.
“We have appealed to the body in charge of collecting tax to be considerate and make the charges affordable for candidates contesting for one position and the other.
“Let’s be good ambassadors of the state, let’s shun violence, intimidation, harassment and ensure the will of the masses prevail in the next local government council elections.” Olagunju added.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Inter party Advisory Council, Oyo State, Apostle Dare Ojo, advised the leadership of OYSIEC to be sincere and fair to all in the engagement of ad-hoc staff to have free and fair election.
The IPAC Chairman, who is also the Chairman of Action Democratic Party in the state, emphasized the need for effective collaboration between the security agencies and OYSIEC to have peaceful election.
He enjoined candidates of various political parties to encourage their members to get prepared for the poll, saying that the next local government councils election will be unique
His words: “We all agreed that OYSIEC should always call a meeting to give us an update. Today’s meeting was highly successful, all the political parties were present and pour out their minds.
“We all agreed we only use Permanent Voter Card for election, all other means of identification should be cancelled.
“We equally agreed that all our candidates should come for screening, OYSIEC should get in touch with security agencies, in which the Chairman promised to do, OYSIEC to engage the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on an enlightenment campaign, political parties to create awareness and sensitize members on importance of local government elections among others.
