Ahead of the Saturday, February 22, 2025, local government elections in Osun State, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) has officially unveiled voting materials.
The unveiling took place on Monday during a press briefing held at the commission’s headquarters in Osogbo.
The event was led by OSSIEC Chairman, Hassim Abioye, who assured the public of the commission’s readiness.
Abioye said, “We are fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, and credible election. All necessary materials have been secured, and we are working closely with security agencies to ensure a smooth process.”
The unveiled specimen voting materials included ballot papers, result sheets, and other essential election materials. Abioye also said the commission made cubicles for the election.
According to the OSSIEC boss, the distribution of materials to various local government areas would commence immediately.
“For the first time, we have a voting cubicle that will allow two persons to vote at a time to reduce long queues. Our ballot boxes are ready, and the ballot papers are barcoded in a way that the one meant for a local government cannot be used in another local government.
“As I am talking to you now, all the 18 political parties who registered are participating. We have not heard of any political party withdrawing from the election. We have not received any communication to that effect, and that will not in any way hamper the process of the election,” he said.
Representatives of political parties, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, civil society organizations, and the National Orientation Agency were present at the briefing.
Victor Akande, Osun IPAC chairman, who spoke on behalf of the body, commended OSSIEC for the innovations it brought into the process, urging him not to allow external influences to distract him from delivering transparent and credible council polls.
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“We appreciate the transparency of OSSIEC in this process and expect a level playing field for all candidates,” Akande said.
Speaking, Adebiyi Stephen, Acting State Director, NOA Osun State, and a representative of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, urged the commission to provide adequate security before, during, and after the elections.
“Be sensitive and train your party members so that they will know what to do. If they are not pleased with the situation of things, they should approach the court,” Stephen told political parties present at the unveiling.
