By Nofisat Marindoti
The Chairman of Osun Independent Electoral Commission, OSIEC, Otunba Segun Oladitan has affirmed the commission’s readiness to conduct the Local Government election come January 27 despite the litigations against it.
In a radio programme monitored by Osun Defender, Oladitan stated that the Commission has not been served legally, adding that the ruling of the High Court in Abuja on January 24 can neither disturb nor stop the conduct of the election.
The Chairman who stated that the commission is well prepared for the election, also assured that it would be free and fair.
Stating that the polling units would be tightly secured, Oladitan said there would be no movement from 7am and 2pm to avoid disruption and that the only pass across the units would be the PVC.
Asked when the result would be out, The OSIEC Chairman replied that it would be out almost immediately bearing on the geographical problems of some centres.
Oladitan also revealed that the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not part of the 18 political parties that would be participating in the election.
Asked why the PDP would not be participating, Oladitan replied that it is not the duty of the commission to necessarily call the opposition to participate.
According to him, “18 political parties without PDP is participating, 36 parties showed interest but we discovered 8 were not registered with INEC. The nomination forms were given to the remaining ones but at the close of forms, only 18 responded and showed up interest to participate.
“It is not the responsibility of commission to call opposition to come and participate. Commission’s responsibility is to call people out to vote for councilors.” Oladitan explained.
Oladitan who also justified the parliamentary system of government to be used, explained that section 7 of the constitution says the mode of conduct has to be democratic but that the state has to make law according to its structure.
