LG polls: OGSIEC to engage over 10,000 ad-hoc staff
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
The Chairman of Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) Mr Babatunde Osibodu has said that the commission would engage over 10,000 ad hoc staff for the smooth conduct of the local government elections slated for July 24.
Mr Babatunde Osibodu has therefore urged those who are interested in working with the electoral body to keep monitoring the media for updates and that application would be done online
The OGSIEC boss has equally affirmed that the commission would not compromise its integrity and would therefore conduct a free, fair and credible LG poll whose results will tally with the wishes of the rural dwellers.
Speaking at a programme in Abeokuta, the OGSIEC boss said members of the commission are people of impeccable character, whose integrity will reflect in the conduct of the Council polls, assuring that the outcome will be a true reflection of the wishes of the people.
“I want to once again assure the good people of Ogun State that our firm resolve to organise a council poll that will be totally devoid of any form of manipulation or interference cannot be overemphasized. Our motivation for taking this task is service to Ogun State and to contribute our quota in deepening the democratic values in Ogun and Nigeria.
“The Commission is made of people of integrity, who had for decades, proven their mettle across different stratas of human endeavours. We are also following the law and due process and this we will hold very dearly in the course of the forthcoming Local Government elections in Ogun State,” he noted.
While dissociating OGSIEC from a fake timetable that was on the social media few weeks ago, he advised the electorates and general public to be wary of content from the social media, disclosing that any information that emanates from the Commission will be communicated through the appropriate means involving pressmen.
“We will not be distracted in our poised to deliver credible election. We work with our timing and the provisions of the law. Whatever do not emanate from us should be totally disregard,” Osibodu added.
On the actual days of notification of election, the Chairman revealed that the 90 days duration popularly held in some quarters was exclusive to INEC, just as he stated that the Ogun State Electoral Law, 2007 stipulates not less than 30 days notice of election but the Commission extended it to 85 days.
He posited further that “the Commission is empowered by the Ogun State Electoral Law, 2007 to prescribe a non- refundable deposit from aspirants who have scaled the primaries, reiterating that the reason for giving female aspirants waivers was to encourage women participation in politics and provide level playing ground.
He said the number of political parties participating in the Local Government elections would be determined after the various primaries, while urging them to be guided by the rules, as OGSIEC will monitor all party primaries, he emphasised that only parties can obtain form for qualified candidates and not individuals.
