The Chairman of Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC), Justice Cornelius Ilori Akintayo (rtd), has called for support of the relevant stakeholders ahead of the December 2nd 2023 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas polls.
Justice Akintayo made the call today during a stakeholders meeting with party chairmen in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital. Saying that Ekiti remains formidable and as such, politics should not bring about disparity.
Cautiining against violence and gross misconduct in the State, the Chairman emphasised that, there should be a robust synergy between the political parties and the commission.
“We are all working for the betterment of the state and Nigeria. We want to leave a legacy in the coming election”.
Highlighting the guidelines that different political parties in the state should adhere to ahead of the election, Justice Akintayo advised that, campaigns should not intersect each other and that there should be reasonable distance at campaign venues.
He also said that parties should do away with libellous statements which he said doesn’t guarantee freedom of speech, adding that campaigns should be done with reasonable language.
Speaking on the issue of tax clearance of candidates, he said all candidates should make sure their tax clearance is not forged as he maintained that a transparent process is what is needed at this time.
In his own reaction, the former Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and State Chairman, African Democratic Congress, ADC, Hon. Ilesanmi Omolayo said elections have been going on in Ekiti before this time but urged that the state government should do away with exploitation of people on taxes during the election.
Hon. Omolayo also said that the ruling party should be cautioned against violence, saying cases of violence are often time recorded among them.
Also speaking at the Parley, the Social Democratic Party SDP State Chairman, Dr. Dele Ekunola, appreciated the commission for the work done so far. Adding that his party has obtained got the tax clearance
Hon Ifedayo Iyaniwura also said that with the findings and what they have seen so far, the political atmosphere in Ekiti is peaceful. “There are 17 political parties in Ekiti and 13 present for this meeting and since peace exists within the political parties, then the political structure is peaceful.”
