BY Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Ahead of the December local government elections, the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) has concluded plans to embark on awareness and sensitisation of the people of the state on the need to participate in the exercise.
The Commission had announced its plan to conduct elections into the 16 local governments and 22 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA’s) in the State by December 2, 2023.
The Chairman of the Commission, Justice Corneleous Akintayo (rtd) dropped the hint at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti during a press conference heralding the commencement of the activities of the commission.
Reeling out the activities of the commission ahead of the exercise, Justice Akintayo and other members of the commission said that the election of 177 councillors would also be conducted by the commission.
He explained that ward congresses to elect chairmanship and councillorship candidates by political parties would come up on Saturday October 7, 2023.
Collection and submission of nomination forms by various political parties participating in the elections would be held between 12 and 18,2023
Submission of list of qualified and unqualified candidates to political parties and replacement of candidates by political parties would also come up between November 6 and 10,2023.
The EKSIEC chairman while soliciting for the supports of the media and other relevant stakeholders in the state for the success of the exercise, said that publication by electoral officers of persons nominated by political parties and issuance of notice of polls will come on November 20, 2023.
He said further that notice of withdrawal of nomination of candidates by political parties and closing of electioneering campaign by political parties will end by November 24 and 29 respectively.
Reiterating the readiness of the commission under his leadership to conduct free and credible election, he explained that the commission has concluded plans to embark on awareness and mobilisation of voters on the need to participate in the election and vote for the candidates of their choice.
He assured that all registered political parties in the state would be fully mobilized and participate in the exercise.
