LG election holds December—ODIEC
By Bukola Olamona
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The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has disclosed that the commission will conduct the state local government election on December 16, 2023.
Disclosing this at a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday in Akure, the ODIEC Chairman, Dr Joseph Aremo stated that the commission has kick-started the process of the election by issuing 360 days notice for the conduct of the election.
He said the notice has been issued since December 16, 2022 to all registered political parties and stakeholders.
Aremo said in order to ensure that democracy does not suffer at the grassroots, the commission has given out guidelines to stakeholders so as to be abreast of the rules guiding the forthcoming local government election.
The commission, he said is expecting interested registered political parties to collect forms at no cost from ODIEC.
The ODIEC boss said the commission has issued forms EC009A, EC009B, EC009C, EC009D, EC009E for the positions of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councilors respectively.
He disclosed that the conduct of party primaries shall be observed by the commission as part of its statutory responsibilities from April 10 to June 10, 2023.
Aremo further said that campaigns by political parties will commence by July 17 to midnight of December 14, 2023 in compliance with the electoral law, saying there will also be room for substitution of candidates by political parties.
He commended the state government for supporting and empowering the commission, adding that the commission is poised to conduct free, fair and credible election.
Earlier in his opening address, ODIEC Administrative Secretary, Mr Igbekele Jatuwase said good governance is not just taking root in Nigeria but taking taproot in Ondo State.
He said the Commission wants stakeholders to be carried along in a manner that they will understand what the commission is doing.
Responding, one of the stakeholders, the Chairman, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Sir David Ologun said the meeting showed that the commission is prepared for the forthcoming local government election and the people too are ready.