As the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) gears up for the June 12, 2025, Local Government and Local Council Development Area elections, new stringent measures have been introduced to uphold electoral integrity.

Under the recently revised Lagos State electoral law, any electoral officer found guilty of misconduct faces a fine of up to N2 million or two years’ imprisonment.

At a three-day retreat for Electoral and Assistant Electoral Officers, LASIEC Chairman Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile emphasized the importance of integrity, professionalism, and fairness in election administration.

She described the retreat not just as training, but as an opportunity to prepare for the demanding responsibilities ahead.

“You are the mirror of the Commission on the field. Your conduct and diligence directly shape LASIEC’s image and the public’s perception of the election,” she said, stressing the need for officers to uphold the highest standards of competence and impartiality.

The retreat, themed “Election Processes, Logistics, and Readiness Workshop for 2025 LG/LCDA Election,” focused on equipping officers with both technical expertise and ethical grounding to ensure efficient, credible, and peaceful elections.

Lagos State House of Assembly member and Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Petitions, Human Rights, and LASIEC, Oladipo Olayinka Ajomale, urged officers to embrace their responsibility for a transparent election that would prevent post-election litigation. He praised LASIEC’s proactive efforts and robust voter awareness campaigns.

Ajomale highlighted the recent overhaul of the electoral law under Speaker Dr. Mudashiru Obasa’s leadership, which introduced an integrity oath for electoral officers.

“This oath demands impartiality, with penalties including imprisonment or a fine of N2 million for violations,” he remarked, underscoring the law’s seriousness.

He expressed confidence that Lagos’s 2025 local government elections will set a new standard for electoral integrity across Nigeria, saying, “The laws are in place, the procedures are underway, and the training is ongoing.”