Ekiti: Local Council Poll To Hold December 2, Amidst Allegation Of Imposition Of Candidates By Ruling APC

By Ayodele Oni

The time table for Local Government Election in Ekiti State has been released, amidst complaints that stalwarts of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are subtly imposing their cronies and family members as candidates.

But Governor Biodun Oyebanji has assured that he has no favourites among aspirants to the Local Council positions. However, some of his aides are already imposing candidates in their respective areas.

No opposition party in the State has signified intention to participate in the Council poll, as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said it’s yet to make up its mind on participation.

Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) announced that  Ward Congresses to elect Chairmanship and Councilorship  Candidates  by political parties would come up on Saturday 7th of October 2023.

Briefing  Journalists  in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, the Commission’s Chairman, Justice Akintayo, disclosed that elections into Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, (LCDA) would hold on December 2, 2023.

He clarified that elections would be conducted  in  the 16 Local Government and 22 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA’s) in the State.

EKSIEC Boss said collection and  submission of nomination forms by various political parties participating in the election would take place on 12th to 18th of October 2023.

“Submission of list of qualified and unqualified candidates to political parties and replacement of candidates by political parties would also come up on 6th to 10th of November.

The Commission  appealed for the support of the Media and other relevant stakeholders in the State for the success of the exercise, adding that publication by electoral officers of persons nominated by political parties and issuance of notice of polls will come on 20th of November 2023.

Notice of withdrawal of nomination of candidates by political parties and closing of electioneering campaign by political parties will end by 24th of November and 29th of November respectively.

Reiterating the readiness of the Commission under his leadership to conduct free and credible election, the chairman explained that the commission has concluded  plans to embark on aggressive awareness and mobilisation of voters on the needs to participate in the election and vote for the candidates of their choices.

He assured that  all registered political parties in the country would be fully mobilized to participate in the exercise.