*No sign voting will take place in my polling boot – ex-Minister
A former minister of the Federal Republic (names withheld), who said he had walked past his own polling boot twice without any sign it would be part of the activated units for voting process ahead of Saturday elections, wondered what it meant to side-tract some areas in allocations of voting units.
Elections of Chairmen and councilors into the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State will hold 7am this Saturday morning and will last till 3pm in the late afternoon.
Lagos State Government had announced restriction of movement from 8am till 2pm while voting will be in ongoing.
In making the announcement of extension of restriction, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the restriction had to be slightly expanded to allow for a smooth conduct of the local government elections and unhindered participation.
He however reiterated the call for a peacefull and orderly conduct by the electorates during the polls to usher in new chairmen and councilors into the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state.
According to Ayorinde, the state government and security agencies will leave no stone unturned in ensuring a free and fair election, while ensuring safety of electoral officials and voters.
The commissioner also urged residents to be peaceful and orderly in casting and protecting their votes in their respective wards for chairmen and councillors who are expected to drive development at the third tier of government.
Ayorinde explained that as the election that would bring on board a new set of public officers for the next four years at the local government level, the restriction of movement will allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the security agencies to distribute electoral materials in good time and ensure a seamless electoral process.
“The police and other security agencies have been maintaining law and order since the commencement of campaign by political parties. They are poised to ensure that the voting on Saturday is conducted smoothly without public disturbance,” he said.
He added that all political parties, candidates and their supporters as well as the general public are assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation.
In the meantime, as at late evening on Friday some residents of Ikoyi had complained of no sign of voting going to take place in their polling boots as there were no arrangements and information to that effect.
A former minister of the Federal Republic (names withheld), who said he had walked past his own polling boot twice without any sign it would be part of the activated units for voting process ahead of Saturday elections, wondered what it meant to side-tract some areas in allocations of voting units.
He however expressed reservation, “I hope it is not a ploy for the man in charge of APC in Lagos State rig these elections to himself,” he said, adding that, “If not, why is it that up till this late evening on Friday we have no sign that we in my area here in Ikoyi will be able to vote in an election process that will take place tomorrow Saturday?” He asked.
Effort to get clarification over this complaint from LASIEC however did not yield results as spokesman of the electoral body could not be located.
