By Emmanuel Onwusoro
Eligible voters in Ekiti State have been advised to put the era of voter-apathy behind them and turn out en mass to exercise their franchise for the forthcoming local government election in the State slated for saturday, December 2, 2023.
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, EKSIEC, Justice Cornelius Akintayo (Rtd) made the appeal during a press conference in Ado-Ekiti.
He said the fact that local government is the closest level of government to the people underscores the need for mass participation by all the people to elect the candidates of their choice. Adding that their participation should be devoid of violence, thuggery, corruption and vote-buying.
Justice Akintayo urged all political parties in the state to participate and adhere strictly to the timetable and all laws relating to the conduct of the election. “On our part, we are ready and determined to conduct free and fair election which will also be credible and acceptable to all. There will be a level playing ground for all the people and the political parties.”
Defining democracy as “the government of the people, by the people and for the people”, the Chairman described Ekiti people as highly educated and enlightened. Hence, such attributes should be demonstrated while exercising their franchise. According to him, “as you are all aware, there will be elections in the sixteen Local Government Areas and the Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, for 2nd of December 2023.”
He noted that the media remain an important agent in the electioneering process, therefore their role cannot be glossed over as it is through them the public will be kept abreast of the policies and programmes of the government.
To discourage voter-apathy, Justice Akintayo remarked that the Commission will carry out public enlightenment and awareness campaign.
EKSIEC is powered to organize, undertake and supervise all elections to local councils in the state.
