The Ekiti State House of Assembly has moved to strengthen confidence in the forthcoming local government elections, as the House Committee on the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) reaffirmed its commitment to a smooth and legally sound process.
At a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, the Committee expressed satisfaction with the Commission’s level of preparedness, noting that efforts are underway to ensure the elections are conducted without legal complications.
Speaking after the session, the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Babatunde Oke, said the engagement became necessary in view of recent developments in Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.
According to him, discussions centered on how the provisions of the new Electoral Act 2022 may interact with existing Ekiti State electoral laws, especially as preparations for the polls intensify.
He noted that while some grey areas were identified, both the Committee and SIEC leadership agreed on a practical approach that prioritizes stability.
“The insights from this meeting are critical. Our focus is to ensure the elections are conducted within a framework that is both legally sound and efficient. We are satisfied with the Commission’s decision to work with the existing legal structure for now,” Oke stated.
The Committee reiterated its oversight responsibility, assuring residents that the Assembly will continue to provide the necessary legislative backing to guarantee a credible process.
Political stakeholders, including parties and civil society groups, were urged to remain confident as the state fine-tunes arrangements for the elections.
With this renewed alignment between lawmakers and the electoral body, Ekiti appears set to avoid the legal uncertainties that have troubled local government polls in some parts of the country, positioning itself for a more seamless democratic exercise at the grassroots level.
