The Chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN has charged civil servants in the state to exercise their civic responsibility during the forthcoming local government elections.
The OYSIEC boss made the charge on Wednesday during the visit of the Commission to the Office of the Head of Service at Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Abiola Olagunju, who sought support of the Head of Service in staffing, capacity building among others to have a successful poll, said that it is essential for civil servants to play their part in sustaining democratic administration at the third tier of government.
He maintained that the present administration led by Governor Seyi Makinde is committed to conducting free and fair local government elections, which he said the governor has demonstrated in 2021.
“I observed that the majority of civil servants in the state don’t usually vote during local government council elections. At the last election we had in 202, 29.6 percent of registered voters in the state took part. We appeal to you all to come out en-masse on election day and cast your vote, we assure you of a free, fair, credible, peaceful and transparent election come 2024.”
While congratulating the Head of Service on her appointment, Olagunju, said that the role and contributions of civil servants working with the Commission in the conduct of election is inevitable, hence, there is need to have professionals and special staffers for the task ahead.
He described the appointment of the Head of Service as a round peg in the right hole.
“We congratulate you on a well-deserved appointment. We know that your office is responsible for human development, and we seek your support in this regard.
“Preparations for the 2024 local government election are ongoing, and we need to move around. We need information technology experts to handle the ICT section and special staffers that will be solely for the conduct of the election.
The Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, while responding, said that the requests of OYSIEC require the input for the actualization.
Mrs. Oni expressed the readiness of her office to work with the Commission and attend to their requests promptly.
She enjoined the leadership of OYSIEC to intensify efforts on sensitization and awareness creation on local government elections for inclusive participation.
“The Commission needs trusted and reliable staff, you will need to put your request in black and white, and we will process it on your behalf.
“You will need more publicity, more sensitization for more participation.”
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboyega
