The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), has announced that the commission will release the final list of candidates contesting for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the next local government councils election in the state by 15th January, 2024.
The Chairman of the Commission, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, made this known during a meeting with the 19 registered political parties, held at the Conference Room of the Commission, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, said
political parties are free to embark on the campaign from now till 26th April, 2024.
For political parties willing to substitute candidates earlier submitted to the commission for the poll, Olagunju said this could be achieved only with the consent of concerned or affected candidates.
He affirmed that the permanent voter’s card remains the sole means of identification to vote on election day, as agreed earlier during the previous engagement of the commission with political parties.
Olagunju added that the decision to use only permanent voter’s card was the fact that almost all eligible voters now have access to the card.
He said, “What we did was to inform all the registered political parties officially of the outcome of the screening exercise that we did and to let us know if there was an error in the list returned to the political parties.”
“We are glad that all the political leaders were satisfied with the outcome of the screening arrangements.”
“Candidates should escalate their campaign exercise from today to 26th April, 2024 . Our message is constant, candidates and political parties are to eschew violence and avoid molestation of one another.”
In his remarks, the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Oyo State, Apostle Dare Ojo, said it was essential to intensify efforts on voter education, saying that some people are still doubting the credibility of local government councils election.
Apostle Dare, who doubles as the Chairman of Action Democratic Party in the state, advised the commission to consider town hall meetings to further educate the public on the need to participate in the next local government council elections in the state.
In his contributions, the Secretary, All Progressive Congress, APC, Oyo State, Alhaji Olanite Tajudeen, called for proper orientation of electoral officers to be engaged by OYSIEC for the election to prevent unforeseen circumstances.
He enjoined candidates of various political parties to be up and doing and ensure their campaigns are within the ambit of the law.