Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission has called for a review of its electoral law to make it conform with the current law of the country.
OGSIEC Chairman, Mr Babatunde Osibodu, made this known in Joga/Ibooro ward 5, Yewa North Local Government, during a sensitisation visit to traditional rulers of three communities in the area, on the forthcoming councillorship bye-election.
According to him, the review will help to address some grey areas in the electoral law and will focus on a situation where if only one political party or candidate indicates interest in a vacant post, voting will not take place.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the commission’s Director of Information, Mrs Adeyinka Richard.
“We are going to amend our law to conform with that of Lagos State and even the Federal Government which stated that; where only one candidate emerges, there won’t be a need for voting, rather just an affirmation,” Osibodu was quoted as saying.
He noted that despite efforts and measures put in place to get other political parties on board for the election, only the All Progressives Congress showed interest in the election by picking up a nomination form, as such, only the APC would be seen on the ballot paper.
“This is a different kind of election because only one party came out to express interest, so the ballot paper is meant for affirmation, yes or no. It is important to explain this to the people before the election day,” the chairman stated.
Osibodu pointed out that the bye-election became imperative due to the death of the councillor representing the ward, Isiaka Ogundele, calling for the support of the traditional rulers in sensitising their subjects on what to expect on the election day on Thursday, saying, “the only candidate must score 50 per cent of total votes cast before he can be declared winner of the election.”
