OSSIEC Chairman Dismisses Readiness Allegations, Reaffirms Commitment To Credible Elections

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) has reiterated its readiness for the forthcoming local government elections, dismissing allegations of unpreparedness leveled by a political party.

In press statement signed by OSSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye,he emphasized that the commission has adhered strictly to its election timeline and schedule of activities. He described the allegations as baseless, highlighting that the amended notice and timetable issued by the commission provide a comprehensive framework for political parties to prepare for the polls.

“We started very well by getting it right from the issuance of the notice. There is no serious legitimacy question surrounding the process. We have been carrying out all activities in accordance with the timetable, schedule of activities, and guidelines issued by the commission,” Abioye stated.

” We have a timeline of events and a schedule of activities towards the conduct of the Local Governemnt Elections. The amended notice and adjusted timetable issued by the Commission is a complete package and enough for any serious minded political party in preparation for the election.

“On the part of the Commisison, we have been carrying out our activities within the circumference of the timetable, schedule of activities and guidelines issued by the Commission. What is more! We have appointed Electoral Officers (EOs) and Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) across all the Local Government Araeas.

“We even appointed Special duties EOs & AEOs for efficiency and effectiveness. We have organised two levels of retreats, seminars and training for the Commission members, staff and all the EOs & AEOs. As am talking, online adhoc staff recruitment is ongoing.

“It is paperless, first in history, powered by our high powered IT facilities that are on ground. The Commission has never had it so good as we are having today. Imagine the cost, the disorderliness, the security risks involved, even possibility of a stampede is envisaged of we are to go physical in adhoc staff recruitment. That has been eliminated now. There is no information anyone needs that is not available on the Commission’s website and portal. Our offices are also open for administrative and official purposes even at odd hours, to attend to issues bothering on conduct of the elections.

“It is time for campaign by political parties and you can see some political parties already doing that. There have been adequate logistical preparations and there won’t be any disappointment by God’s grace, in terms of election logistics. Election is sensitive and one needs also to be security conscious, I don’t have to speak with the whole of my tongue out of my mouth. But we are ready and nothing is stopping us, insha Allah, and I mean it! All I can tell you is that there is nothing left for us other than shortlisting the adhoc staff and to kit them adequate in terms of knowledge, technicality and logistics, which is the next in line. Majority of the Commissions activities are IT driven.

“To verify our claim, anybody can visit the Commission’s website, monitor the activities and put my words here side by side the information on those materials and see whether we have not really done well in terms of preparations for the elections.