Ekiti State Independent Election Commission (EKSIEC) has expressed its readiness to conduct free, fair and credible local government polls in the state.
The electoral body also urged the people of the state to come out in large numbers to participate in the council election scheduled to be held on December 2, 2023.
The chairman of the Commission, Justice Cornelius Akintayo (Rtd) who stated this during a press conference where the time table for the poll was presented said the election will be held in all the 16 local government and 22 local council development areas of the state.
Akintayo said the campaign commenced on Monday 18, 2023 while the election will be held on December 2, 2013 with the disposal of all election matters by the Election Tribunal followed by the swearing-in of winners of the election.
“On our part, we are ready and determined to conduct a free and fair election which will also be credible and acceptable to all.
“There will be a level playing ground for all the people and the political parties”.
The EKSIEC boss who counselled the people on the election said “Let us put the era of voter apathy behind us and exercise our franchise without violence, thuggery, corruption and vote buying.
“We are lucky our dear state is highly educated and enlightened beyond mediocrity. We therefore expect all the parties in this state and all the people in this state both men and women of voting age to participate in this election as a civic duty and right associated.
“The fact that the local government is the closest tier of government to the people at the grassroots and caused the need for mass participation by all the people to elect people and candidates of their choice”.
When asked on the number of the that have registered to participate in the election Akintayo said “ I am not to determine that, but all registered parties in Nigeria are free to participate in the impending election.”
On the claim that forms that are supposed to be free are being sold to intending party candidates, he said “the information is not true because we have not even started selling the forms.”
He, however, said the commission will continue to be transparent in all its activities.
