By Seun Adeniken
The Ogun state independent electoral commission, (OGSIEC) on Tuesday held a stakeholder meeting with political parties and others ahead the July 24 local government election in the State.
OGSIEC also used the ocassion to announce the amendment to the already released timetable, as party primaries has been increased from five to 22days, starting from Wednesday, May 5 to Thursday, May 27, 2021.
Political campaigns are now to end midnight on Thursday, July 22, 2021, as against the earlier slated time, while the election date remained Saturday, July 24, 2021.
Addressing the stakeholders at June 12 cultural center, Abeokuta, Chairman of OGSIEC, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu urged the political class and aspirants to embrace stipulated guidelines.
Osibodu said the Commission would waive the payment of a non-refundable deposit by intending candidates for female aspirants, adding that it was a gesture to encourage more women to participate in the election.
“The Electoral Law 2007 provides for payment of a non-refundable deposit by intending candidates. For Chairmanship candidates, the fee has been set as N200,000, while for Councillorship candidates, it is N100,000.
As a gender-sensitive institution, we wish to encourage women candidates.
Accordingly, the Commission has resolved that this deposit will be waived for female candidates”, he stated.
He maintained that transparency will be the watchword of the commission.
“We want to assure everyone that the Commission will be fair, equitable, just, transparent and even-handed with stakeholders, political parties, candidates and others.
We will carry along every stakeholder, work hand-in-hand with them to ensure that the election is successful".
The Chairman enjoined Political Parties to fully comply with the laid down rules governing the elections as guided by several enabling laws, paramount among which are Section 197, sub-section 1(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which authorise the establishment of the State Independent Electoral Commissions across the country.
“Also, the Section 14 of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001, empowers it to organise, undertake and supervise all elections to Local Government councils in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Law or any enactment, guidelines, rules or manuals issued or made by the Commission, likewise the Ogun State Electoral Law 2007 provides guidance on the processes and procedures to follow in the electoral process”, he said.
Mr. Osibodu requested the support of the media, imploring the youths to embrace dignity, self-esteem and eschew all forms of anti-democratic activities.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, OGSIEC, Mrs. Mojisola Dosunmu sought for maximum cooperation of all political parties and aspirants, while appreciating them for prompt response to the ceremony
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