As Local Government election is being held across 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs of Lagos State today, Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, Justice Ayotunde Philips has assured of a level playing field for all the political parties and their candidates, saying “we will be neutral”.
This is just as over 30,000 policemen have been mobilised to compliment other security agencies to ensure safety of lives and property during the election. Justice Philips, at a media briefing yesterday on the preparations of the commission for the conduct of today’s elections noted that the elections would be competitive, describing it as good for democracy
Her words; “I wish to reiterate that the commission will provide a level playing ground for all political parties and their candidates. The commission shall remain committed to its responsibilities of conducting free, fair and credible elections into the 57 councils.
“Nobody, therefore, has any cause to entertain any fear or doubt on the neutrality of the commission as electoral umpire at the local government level of the state. We are very much aware of our responsibilities as provided for in the relevant enabling laws.”
In practical demonstration of its commitment towards a hitch- free exercise, she said, the commission had already deployed non-sensitive and sensitive materials to the 57 councils so that the electoral officers have adequate time to distribute the materials to locations where they would be used today. Philips said with the early deployment of the materials, she was confident that the elections would be conducted without any hitch whatsoever.
According to her, “Accreditation and voting by voters will take place simultaneously between 8 and 3pm on July 22, 2017, election day, during which any kind of movement, not on electoral duty will be restricted between the hours.
“The results of the chairmanship elections will be declared at the collation centre in each of the councils, while results for councillorship elections will be declared at each of the ward collation centres of the state.
“The only condition that may warrant the declaration of the results outside the collation centres is if it is discovered that the environment is not safe and conducive.”
She explained that part of the innovations that have been introduced to enhance the electoral process and ensure effective monitoring and feedback mechanism is the introduction of the Election Support Centre and Situation Room at the headquarters of the commission. “Through the facilities the commission will be able to monitor whatever is going on in the field from the headquarters. This will enable the commission to respond promptly to any development arising from the elections”, she said.
Cautions media on sensationalism
While appealing to the media to be fair, objective and patriotic in the reportage of the elections, Philips said, “As patriotic citizens you (media) owe the nation and Lagos State the duty of performing your reportorial duties in a most responsible and patriotic manner, devoid of narrow self-centredness that could cast doubt on the electoral process and plunge the state into crises.
“I need to remind you that pen is mightier than the sword. As holders of the pen, you must be circumspect in the way you use it so that the remaining part of the electoral process can be peaceful and hitch-free. “I therefore urge you to please demonstrate fairness, objectivity and patriotism as you report the elections. It is our collective interest that the elections are successful and therefore, owe it as a civic duty to ensure this is achieved.”
Also speaking at the event, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said adequate preparations to ensure safety of lives and property have been put in place by inter agencies, urging residents and electorate to go about their normal activity without any fear. He said about 30,000 Policemen, excluding other security agencies, such as Soldiers, Navy, among others, has been deployed to ensure adequate security in the state, including the riverine areas.
“All that is required to secure the exercise has been put in place to further ensure lives and property are guaranteed,” Owoseni assured.
He therefore appealed to parents and guardians to keep their wards from being used for selfish purpose by some mischievous elements, as the law would not be spared in dealing with anyone caught in any act of lawlessness or attempt to commit electoral fraud.
While saying that the state’s Police Command has identified violent prone areas with adequate structure to deal with any situation, Owoseni added that Investigation Desk has been set up at the State’s Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, to deal with any perpetrator of any form of violence. “No matter what happens, we are fully prepared to secure everyone”, he assured.
In case of any distress situation, the commissioner of police gave out the following hotlines number to call for prompt response: 08063299264, 08033040870.
