The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has commended the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) for bringing radical and remarkable development to the conduct of the 2023 Local Government Election in the State.
Mrs Afuye said the large turnout of voters and violence-free atmosphere that marked the conduct of the local government election today, were loud testimonies that there was tremendous improvement on that of 2021 poll.
The Deputy Governor gave the observations while voting at unit 003, Atiba/Aafin Ward, in Ikere Ekiti, in today’s local government poll in Ekiti State.
Mrs Afuye, who cast her vote around 9.32am, said the local government election was more competitive at the party’s primary, because of financial independence being savoured by the council under Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.
She applauded the voters in Ikere Local Government Area and across the state, for demonstrating confidence and trust in the electoral process, by their impressive participation in the LG poll.
“The election has so far been peaceful and violence-free. And you could see how people are trooping out and queue to cast their votes. We are witnessing a remarkable improvement in our local government election.
“I know that today’s election shall be a success because all the stakeholders are ready to comply with the rules”.
She commended the Justice Cornelius Akintayo-led SIEC for bringing transparency and openness to the electoral process at the third tier of government.
“Going by what we have seen and information across the state, the process has been adjudged peaceful and transparent.
“The SIEC officials and observers were on ground in time and that further propelled the voters to come out to cast their votes for their preferred candidates. This is highly commendable.
“The atmosphere was serene and voters were not being coersed to vote for a particular candidate. They are given the freedom to vote for candidates of their choices; that is the beauty of democracy.
“With all these, those who will emerge in today’s election will know that they will be there to serve the people, so that our people can become more interested to participate in elections, especially the local government poll”.
Mrs Afuye praised the security agencies for their remarkable roles in the election, exuding confidence that the poll shall be a success.