…Advocates Oyo Assembly Support
The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, has sought for the amendment of the law regulating the conduct of local government election in Oyo State, saying that it has identified key areas that are due for holistic change.
OYSIEC is subsequently seeking the support and cooperation of the Oyo State House of Assembly for the review and amendment of the electoral law.
OYSIEC Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, disclosed this when he led other members of the commission on a working visit to the office of the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin.
Olagunju said, “When we think of making and amending laws, we talk of the legislature. This is why we are here to intimate the leadership of the Oyo State House of Assembly of our plan to amend the state electoral law. The present law was passed 22 years ago. To us, amendment is due. Some areas need urgent review and amendment to meet modern voting trends. We need to upgrade our electoral process, even at the local government level. I am happy that the Oyo State House of Assembly has shown its readiness to work with us towards amending the law. We are looking at the possibility of getting this done by the second quarter of this year.”
The OYSIEC boss explained that the amendment being sought will help to reposition the commission for better performance in future elections.
He added, “We are also looking at the possibility of using another means of identification peculiar to Oyo State alone; like Oyo State Resident Identification card to complement the use of Permanent Voter Cards issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC”
Responding, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ogundoyin described the move to amend the state local government electoral law as a good development.
Noting that the election conducted into the local governments in the state last year had given the commission an insight of the areas that need to be worked on to improve such exercise in the future, and one of such is the vital need to review the election law, Hon Ogundoyin promised that the House will work expeditiously on the draft copy of the proposed amendment once it gets to the legislature.
He said, “On our part, we are ready to work on the amendment in order to improve on the electoral process. This will be in line with the resolve of Governor Seyi Makinde to upgrade and improve all government departments, ministries and agencies, MDAs.
“There are surely new practices and evolving trends in the conduct of elections and OYSIEC cannot afford to be left behind. Even INEC is trying to advance the voting process.”
