By Akin Ogunmola
Few days to this Saturday’s Local Government and Local Council Development Areas Election in Ekiti State, stakeholders in the election have again expressed their commitment towards a peaceful and credible election.
Speaking at an interactive stakeholders meeting in Ado Ekiti, the Chairman of Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC), Justice Cornelius Akintayo rtd reiterated the determination of his team to conduct a free and fair poll.
He reassured political parties participating in the election that EKSIEC has put in place measures to guarantee a level playing field to all candidates without bias to any party.
However, the retired judge warned individuals or groups against any act that could disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election, as security agents would be on ground at every polling station during voting on Saturday.
Akintayo called on all eligible voters to come out en masse with their Permanent Voter Cards or any recognised identity card to perform their civic responsibility at the polling units where their names are in the INEC Voters Register.
The various stakeholders present at the meeting took turns to express their readiness to play their parts according to the laid down guidelines of the commission.
Stakeholders at the meeting include, the leadership of 13 political parties, the leadership of Commercial Drivers Unions, Tricycle and Okada Riders Associations as well as the leadership of Iyalojas in the state.
Also present are, the Special Adviser on Security, Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana rtd, the Heads of Security agencies in the state including the Army, Police, DSS, Civil Defence, FRSC, Immigration and Amotekun Corps.
Others at the meeting include, Faith Leaders including the Christian Association of Nigeria – CAN and a representative of NACOMYO Coordinator.
Voting opens at 8am and closes at 2pm on Saturday and vehicular movement would be restricted until 4pm on the election day.