Oyo LG Polls: OYSIEC Targets 70% Voters Participation, 18 Political Parties Indicate Interest

The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju has stated that the Commission is targeting towards achieving 70 percent registered voters’ participation in April 2024 Local Government Councils’ Election.

Olagunju gave  this hint on Sunday while featuring on a live radio program in Ibadan.

He explained that the achievement was an indication that narratives surrounding the conduct of council polls in the state would be a thing of the past if relevant stakeholders play their parts accordingly.

Olagunju maintained that achieving the desired result in election conduct requires a gradual process, noting that the state has been able to move from the era of interim administration at local level to democratic administration.

Olagunju noted that 18 registered political parties in the state have shown interest in participating in the forthcoming election.

His words: ”We did our best during the local government council elections conducted in 2021, election is a process and there is room for improvement. On record, the percentage of voter participation in local council elections held previously, stance at 12%,16%, 18% and 21 percent.

“The Commission had 29.6 % in 2021 when we conducted the election, though not the best but an indication that we are getting there in terms of election participation, the good thing is that the government has been able to eliminate interim government at the local government.

According to him, things are improving, recently, the commission observed primaries of some political parties, this was different from the past, the process went peacefully and successfully.

“This is the spirit I want all the political parties and electorates to take to the election so that the election can be peaceful and credible ”  OYSIEC Boss added