LG Polls: LASIEC promises free, fair elections, engages political parties

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has pledged to ensure a transparent and credible process in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for July 12.

The assurance was given by the commission’s chairman, Mobolanle Okikiola-Ighile, during a stakeholder meeting held on Tuesday with representatives of registered political parties in the state.

LASIEC had earlier announced that elections will be conducted across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) on July 12.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Okikiola-Ighile promised a level playing field for all political parties and called for their cooperation throughout the electoral process.

“Nobody among us is a card-carrying member of any political party. Let us be nice to ourselves. We are not your opponent; we are working for the betterment of this election.

“We are prepared, we are working, we have sworn an oath, and we are going to stick to the oath,” she stated.

The LASIEC chairman urged political parties and aspirants to comply strictly with the electoral timetable and guidelines, emphasizing the importance of adherence to due process.

She further disclosed that nomination forms for candidates would be available at LASIEC headquarters and that political parties are required to pay administrative fees for processing.

However, she noted that female candidates would pay half of the stipulated fees. Payment details, including revenue and agency codes, will be outlined in the election guidelines.

Candidate document verification will be conducted at the commission’s headquarters. The official election guidelines will be published on April 17, with campaigns and rallies permitted from April 18 through July 9.

“Political parties are to submit details of their party agents between June 23 and June 28. The political parties are to give verifiable party secretariat addresses to the commission,” she added.

In her remarks, Temilola Akinade, chairperson of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s new board, citing a lack of engagement with key stakeholders ahead of the election announcement.

She raised concerns over the interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy and its implications for the 37 LCDAs.

Ayinde Olawale of the African Action Congress (AAC) declared that his party would not participate in any election involving the 37 LCDAs. Similarly, Dele Oladeji, the Accord Party’s state chairman, urged LASIEC to maintain open communication with political parties throughout the process.

Several party representatives also criticized the commission for implementing revisions to the LASIEC law, specifically the authority to conduct executive elections in all 57 LGs and LCDAs without adequate consultation.

They pointed out that many parties had yet to access the amended law, calling for it to be made publicly available.

Responding, Ms. Okikiola-Ighile explained that the delay in engaging IPAC was due to operational demands but stressed that the commission respects the role of political parties and IPAC. She clarified that the law mandates LASIEC to meet with IPAC only prior to the release of the election guidelines, which was the purpose of the stakeholder meeting.

Representatives from various political parties attended the session, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Youth Party (YP), and Action Democratic Party (ADP).

Others present included delegates from the All Peoples Party (APP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).