Heritagenewsng reports that the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) has been commended by different stakeholders for conducting a free, fair and credible elections at the local government councils in the State.
The election which held in all the 16 Local Government Councils and 19 Local Council Developing Areas (LCDAs) was devoid of rancour and violence with men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Police deployed to man strategic locations.
Speaking with Journalists in separate interviews after casting their votes, the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Biodiun Omoleye, described the exercise as orderly, peaceful, free, and fair, adding that it was a testimony to Ekiti SIEC’s proper preparation towards the elections.
Oyebanji who spoke shortly at his polling unit in Ikogosi, commended the various political parties that participated in the election for demonstrating sportsmanship and allowing the people to vote for the party of their choice without any form of threat, financial inducement or manipulation.
The SSG commended the people of the State for shunning voting apathy and coming out in their large numbers to exercise their voting right.
“Local government election is very critical to the survival of any democracy, because it is the closest to the people. I commend my people for taking interest in this election and I want the electoral officers to do what is right and allow the votes of the electorate to count”.
Also speaking Hon Omoleye who cast his vote at Polling Unit 13, Temidire Ward 1 in Ijurin Ekiti, said the electoral umpire had demonstrated the level of their preparation, by deploring electoral materials to polling unit early and by starting the election at the slated time.
Hon Omoleye commended the people of the State, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and traditional institutions for supporting SIEC in ensuring that the exercise went smoothly without any rancor or violence in the state.
He said there were no complaint of delay in the arrival of electoral materials, electoral officers and other logistics, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should borrow a leaf from SIEC on how to successfully conduct elections.
Speaking while monitoring the polls, the Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), Hon. Toyin Lucas, said that the elections are of utmost importance to the people, because the local governments are the closest to the grassroots coupled with the enthusiasm that accompanies the creation of new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by the APC-led government.
Six out of the ten functional political parties in Ekiti State participated in the election namely; Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Redemption Movement (PRM), and Young Progressives Party (YPP)
