OSSIEC Chair reiterates commitment to transparent, fair to political parties

By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo

The Chairman, Osun State independent Electoral Commission, Barr. Hashim Abioye has reiterated his commitment to be fair and transparent in carrying out his duties to all political parties.

Abioye stated this over the weekend in Osogbo, state capital, declaring that the Commission is to superintend over all electoral matters in the State.

Abioye recalled his earlier position that he is no longer a card carrying member of any political party, but a legal practitioner of over one and half decades experience, who is ready to bring his wealth of experience to bear in the new state assignment before him.

According to him, “I was once a member of the ruling political party but, the moment I was appointed the Chairman of OSSIEC, I ceased to be a card carrying member of any political party, because my job is to conduct and oversee local Government elections in Osun.

“The story is like the day you are installed as king of a particular town, you belong to everybody and not answerable to your people or family anymore. So, I want to assure the people of Osun that I belong to everybody in this State, and not any political party. “We are electoral umpires whose responsibility is to ensure free, fair and credible elections,” the Chairman stated.

Abioye lamented the bad state of the Commission’s environment and equipment left behind by the past administration, saying, upon assumption of office, he swung into action by fixing them gradually and making them functional.

He noted that the Commission is yet to issue guidelines or any notice of election to any political party and yet to meet them, advancing that efforts to that effect are being put together.