Ekiti fixes Dec. 7 for LG elections

From Idowu Abdullahi, Lagos

The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) has fixed December 7, 2019, for the Local Government elections in the 16 Council Areas of the state.
The development meant that the elections earlier scheduled to hold on December 14 would no longer hold on that date as earlier announced.
He also revealed that the Chairmanship form for the election would cost N50, 000, while that of Councillor would cost N20, 000.
Furthermore, he reiterated the commission’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections while urging the opposition parties in the state not to boycott the exercise.
“We are assuring our people that your votes will count, so all parties must sponsor candidates for the elections.
“Do not have this wrong perception that the local government elections will automatically be rigged in favour of the ruling party,” he said.
On the mode of electioneering campaign, Aladejana said, “electioneering can start on Saturday, September 14 and it has to be devoid of violence and hate speech.
“Let there be constructive engagements and we will monitor the parties in this regard.
“It is expected that all the parties will conduct their primaries for Councillors’ elections on 21st of September and that of Chairmanship will be done on September 28.
“We will give the parties level playing ground. We will be transparent in all our dealings and ensure adequate public participation.
“The most important thing to us is that, we want parties to sponsor people of proven integrity for these elections, because when you have good people at the third tier of government, they will protect the welfare of the people.
“We are assuring our political parties that these elections are going to be model in our country,” he said.
The tenure of the current 177 Councillors and 16 chairmen who assumed office in December 19, 2017, would lapse on December 19, 2019.