LASIEC PRESENTS CERTIFICATE OF RETURN TO COUNCILLOR-ELECT FOR OBELE/ONIWALA WARD
The winner of the Councillorship by-election held on Saturday in Ward A (Obele/Oniwala) in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr. Kazeem Bello has been presented with his Certificate of Return by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips congratulated the Councillor-elect and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their victory and urged the winner to see his election as an opportunity to serve the people and champion their cause, stressing that the Councillor-elect must “be seen to be a servant of all regardless of political affiliations or differences”.
Justice Phillips, whose address at the ceremony was delivered by an Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Olusegun Ayedun, noted that the Commission demonstrated its commitment by providing a level playing field for the two political parties and their candidates in the by-election.
She said LASIEC ensured that people’s votes really counted, adding that the Commission would continue to conduct free, fair and credible elections at the Local Government level of the State.
The Chairman, however, expressed disappointment over the low voter turnout during the election, saying it was inexplicable that less than ten percent of registered voters in the area cast their votes during the exercise.
While pointing out that this was a challenge which the Commission was ready to tackle by stepping up its Continuous Civic and Voter Education programmes, Phillips stated that the Commission expected key stakeholders, including leaders of political parties, elected political office holders and political appointees to conduct themselves in ways that would inspire confidence in the citizenry and motivate them towards greater participation in the electoral process.
She averred that every good citizen must realise that it is their civic duty to vote and actively participate in the electoral process, pointing out that keeping aloof of the electoral process by the majority of the citizenry could not help democracy and society to grow.
The LASIEC Chairman also commended the contestants and residents of the area for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after the by-election.
Responding after receiving his certificate of return, Mr. Kazeem Bello, the Councillor-elect, expressed appreciation to his political leaders for their support and pledged to serve the people of his constituency.