The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Olagunju, has harped on the need for citizens to be involved in Local Government Council elections, saying it would assist in changing the narratives associated with council polls.
Olagunju, while featuring on a radio programme, on Sunday, in Ibadan, said voter turn-out during the last chairmanship and councillorship elections in the state was far below expectation.
He explained that the commission had about 30 per cent voter turnout in 2021 despite its visit to all the 33 local government areas in Oyo State to sensitise residents on the need to participate in local government council elections.
The OYSIEC Chairman admonished eligible voters who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards to do what is necessary, promising that the will of the residents of the state would prevail on election day.
While reiterating the need for the citizens and the electorate to monitor the ballots on election day, Olagunju explained that the voter register would be pasted across the polling units in the state by the end of January 2024 for citizens to verify their names.
He sought the continued support of the media and other relevant stakeholders in the bid to achieve a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful local government election in the state by 27th April, 2024.
Emmanuel Ukoh
