Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), yesterday, said only 29.6 per cent of registered voters in the state participated in 2021 council polls.
It said this is an indication that more civil servants and other stakeholders needed to be mobilised to come out and vote in the coming council elections, scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024.
OYSIEC Chairman, Isiaka Abiola Olagunju (SAN), disclosed this during a courtesy visit to office of the Head of Service (HoS), Olubunmi Oni.
He pleaded with the state government to assist the commission in staffing and capacity-building, among others, which according to him, would enhance successful polls.
He also said that it was essential for civil servants to play their part in sustaining democratic administration at the council level.
Olagunju added that the administration of Governor SeyiMakinde is committed to conducting another council election as he did in 2021.
He said: “I observed that majority of the civil servants in the state do not always vote during council election. At the last election we had in 2021, 29.6 per cent 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.
“The role and contributions of civil servants working with the commission to conduct elections is inevitable; hence there is need to have professionals and special members of staffe for the task ahead.”
Olagunju, while congratulating Oni on her appointment as HoS, said: “We know that your office is responsible for human development in Oyo and we seek your support in this regard.
“Preparations for the 2024 council election are ongoing, and we need to move around. We need information technology experts to handle the ICT section and special members of staffer that will be solely responsible for election conduct.”
Oni, in her remarks, 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 sensitisation and awareness creation for the electorate for inclusive participation.
She said: “The commission needs trusted and reliable members of 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 sensitisation for more participation.”
