LG polls: Administrative fee for political parties, not candidates, OGSIEC explains

Anambra APC rejects Sept date for polls

Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has clarified that the administrative charges for the upcoming 2024 local council elections are directed at political parties, not individual candidates.

The charges, according to OGSIEC, apply to parties fielding candidates for chairmanship or councillorship positions in the election.

OGSIEC Chairman, Babatunde Osibodu, disclosed this in a statement during a radio interview in Abeokuta. He explained that the fee is for boosting participation and commitment among political parties.

“Each party must pay the administrative fee. People tend to value what they invest in. By paying for their candidates’ forms, parties will demonstrate greater commitment, encouraging more than just a few of the 19 registered parties to show interest,” Osibodu said.

Osibodu emphasised that the commission is legally empowered to impose the fee, having sought legal counsel and received approval from the State House of Assembly.

Addressing concerns raised by Itunu Abioro, the Public Relations Officer of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ogun State, Osibodu noted that OGSIEC has the legal authority to establish its electoral guidelines.

HOWEVER, in Anambra State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has rejected the September 28, 2024 local council election date as fixed by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), saying that it lacked adequate planning, credibility and due process.

The party said that it could legitimise what it describes as illegality in the local council election, charging the ANSIEC to extend the election date between 90 and 150 days to enable political parties to participate fully.

The state Chairman of APC, Basil Ejidike, stated this while briefing journalists on ANSIEC’s planned September 28 local council elections.

Ejidike stated that the party was ready to participate in the elections, but not in an election already marred by poor planning and execution with ulterior motives by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led government.

He said that APC will support any process aimed at democratising the local council, calling for a level playing field for all political parties.