Ekiti electoral commission fixes December for local council poll

The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) on Monday announced that it had fixed December 19, 2015 for council elections in the state.

Chairman of the commission, Justice Kayode Bamisile (retd), made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti.

Bamisile said that the elections would be conducted for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the 16 local government areas in the state, adding that the commission was fully prepared for the exercise.

He said the commission had meeting with representatives of 23 registered political parties in the state and security agencies before arriving at the date.

He, however, clarified that fixing of the date was the sole responsibility of the commission with regards to the relevant laws that established it.

The chairman said that guidelines and time-table for the election had already been distributed to all the political parties, and assured the parties that the commission would create a level-playing ground for the polls.

“We will demonstrate and manifest neutrality and fairness in the conduct of the exercise,’’ he said.

He admonished all parties to avoid any form of violence before, during and after the conduct of the election.

Bamisile denied insinuations in some quarters that he was a card-carrying member of a political party, saying that those spreading the rumour were doing so out of frustration.