Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, Hashim Abioye, has said the commission will ensure credible local government elections on February 22.  

Mr Abioye gave the assurance during an interview with the League of Veteran Journalists, Osun chapter, at the Nigerian Union of Journalist Secretariat in Osogbo on Wednesday.

 He said that the commission had been building on a solid foundation to ensure hitch-free elections in all the local government areas of the state, one of which, he said, was the notice of election.

He stated, “If we get it wrong from the notice, then, the elections will be a faulty one. Although we have two litigation on this election, there is, however, one that has not yet been dismissed.’’

The OSSIEC chairman also said that the commission had never disqualified any candidate, as is being speculated, stating that parties conducted their primaries.

 He said that the process of constituting the post-election tribunal by the chief judge of the state was ongoing, assuring that it would not affect the exercise.

 According to him, the outcome of the election is paramount to the parties involved in the election; hence it must be conducted in a credible manner for it to be acceptable by all.

 He said, “We have sat down with the legal professionals and we have been moving on the altar of legality and constitutionality. Also, we have issued guidelines and manuals for political parties. IPAC and other stakeholders have also seen our sincerity and we have made a significant progress.’’ 

The OSSIEC chairman appealed to all political parties and stakeholders to join hands with the commission to achieve its mandate of delivering credible, free and fair elections.

In his remarks, the acting Chairman, League of Veteran Journalists in the state, Adeyeye Oyedokun, commended Mr Abioye for his commitment to the success of the election in the state.

Mr Oyedokun assured that the media would continue to play its significant roles in not only ensuring the success of the exercise but also, the sustainability of democracy in the country.

Also speaking, a retired director with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Emmanuel Agboola, said that election matters involved a holistic process to ensure its credibility.

Mr Agboola said that the success of the forthcoming local government elections in the state should be allowed to be a model for others to emulate.

He, however, urged the commission to give all political parties a level-playing field to ensure a credible process.

(NAN)