The Lagos State House of Assembly has invited the key officials of the State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to appear before it over he upcoming Local Government Election slated for July.
The decision was reached, following a motion raised Under Matter of Urgent Public Importance by the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC, Oladipo Ajomale.
He expressed concerns that, “although LASIEC had released its guidelines for the conduct of the elections, the information contained therein was vague and lacked crucial details necessary for public understanding and legislative oversight.”
He urged the House to invite the LASIEC officials to provide adequate clarification and ensure transparency so as to assure Lagosians of free and fair election.
Supporting the motion, The Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, emphasized that it is only fair for the House to be duly informed of the Commission’s plans, and therefore echoed the need for the leadership of the Commission to appear before the House for a proper briefing.
However, Bonu Solomon raised concerns over the lack of adequate public enlightenment in the Commission’s guidelines, noting that this could put a blight on the election processes.
Other lawmakers who lent their voices, stressed the need for clarity on various aspects of the Commission’s preparations, especially issues relating to security, engagement of ad-hoc staff, and voters’ education.
The Speaker, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa who presided over the Plenary, affirmed the importance of a comprehensive briefing from LASIEC, noting that such engagement was necessary to ensure a free, fair, and credible local government election in Lagos State.
He thereafter directed the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC to invite the key officials and report its findings in no time.
In an unrelated development, the House adopted the recommendation of the Committee on Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development as the Resolution of the House following the presentation of a report on a petition titled “Request for Review of Unlawful Appointment and Disregard for a Valid Law of the Lagos State House of Assembly”.
Subsequently, Speaker Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko to forward the resolution of the House to appropriate quarters.
