Ondo LG Election Postponed Indefinitely as Political Parties fail to Comply with Guidelines – ODIEC Chairman, Dr. Aremo
..._We trust ODIEC can conduct credible election but we boycotted process in order to see Mr. Govenor - IPAC Chairman
The Chairman of Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Dr. Joseph Aremo today announced that the local government election earlier scheduled to hold on Saturday, 13th July, 2023 has been postponed indefinitely.
Addressing stakeholders from across different political parties and the press, Dr. Aremo said the decision was based on the fact that no single political party complied with the guidelines of the proposed election.
According to him, all guidelines for the election was issued and on time.
“Ours is to conduct election that will usher in a democratic government at the local level. It’s unfortunate that no single party complied with the guidelines for the election. We are yet to receive nomination of candidates, yet to verify and release it to the public for scrutiny”, he added noting that the commission will go back to the drawing board and make it position known at a later date.
In a swift reaction to the postponement of the election, the Ondo State IPAC Chairman, Prince Adesanya Olaoluwa admitted noting that all political parties agreed to the terms knowing fully well that no election can take place without them.
He however commended ODIEC chairman for his committment towards ensuring free, fair and credible election.
On why political parties decided to boycott the processes, Prince Olaoluwa said want to have a meeting with Mr. Govenor.
“They now know our reasons. We want to see Mr. Govenor. It is not that we don’t have trust in ODIEC. We know that they can perform credible election but we want to see Mr Govenor”, he further stressed.
Also in attendance at the crucial meeting include other ODIEC Commissioners, chairmen of political parties, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Igbekele Ijatuase among other stakeholders.
Recall that the commission had earlier issued election guidelines that accommodated the proposed 33 LCDAs as their major mandate is to conduct local government election in the state