The Chairman of Ogun state Independent Electoral Commission, (OGSIEC), Barrister Babatunde Osibodu has assured all political parties in the state of level playing ground in the conduct of the forthcoming local government elections.
Osibodu assured that the commission has no plan to rig the elections in favor of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that it is committed to conduct free, fair and transparent elections.
The chairman stated this while addressing stakeholders at a meeting held at the commission’s secretatiat in Abeokuta, Monday.
Osibodu urged the political parties to go about their campaigns, saying that it is the duty of the parties to guide against any perceived ‘rigging’ by providing enough agents at the polling units.
“I want to urge you today to campaign with all your might, with all your power. I am not in support of any political party, I am committed towards conducting free, fair and transparent elections
“If you accuse the electoral umpire without doing your best to win the election, you have accepted defeat before the contest.”
“We are determined to conduct elections that are not just free and fair but are seen to be free and fair. But if you continue to say that only the ruling party has won in the past and therefore you will not contest or campaign, it will not change.
“You need to come out boldly without violence, do not be afraid of the security forces, bring your supporters out on election day, you will be protected and your vote will be protected, i guarantee you that”, he said
Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Comrade Ola Williams, in his reaction, expressed dspleasure on the modus operandi of the commission during elections, wondering why opposition parties usually lose in elections while the ruling party always wins.
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