We’re targeting 70% registered voters participation in Oyo LG election –OYSIEC Chair
By Stephen Gbadamosi
Chairman of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Chief Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, has said that the commission is targeting achieving 70 per cent registered voters’ participation in the next local government election in the state.
Olagunju, while featuring on a live radio programme in Ibadan at the weekend, hinted that voters’ turn-out during the 2021 local government election in the state surpassed the previous ones.
He explained that the achievement was an indication that narratives surrounding the conduct of council polls in the state would be a thing of the past, if relevant stakeholders played their parts accordingly.
Olagunju maintained that achieving the desired result in election conduct required a gradual process, noting that the state had been able to move from the era of interim administration at local level to democratic administration.
Olagunju noted that 18 registered political parties in the state had shown interest in participating in the forthcoming election, lauding the political parties for handling their primaries peacefully.
“We did our best during the local government elections conducted in 2021; election is a process and there is room for improvement. On record, the percentage of voter participation in local council elections held previously stands at 12 per cent, 16 per cent, 18 per cent and 21 per cent.
“The commission had 29.6 per cent in 2021 when we conducted the election, though not the best, but an indication that we are getting there in terms of election participation. The good thing is that the government has been able to eliminate interim government at the local government.
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“Our goal is to have 70 per cent of voters by 27th April 2024, which is the date for the next local government election in the state. Residents are urged to have trust and confidence in the commission and vote on election day.
“Things are improving; recently, the commission observed primaries of some political parties; this was different from the past. The process went peacefully and successfully. This is the spirit I want all the political parties and electorate to take to the election, so that the election can be peaceful and credible,” he said.
