The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has announced administrative charges for candidates participating in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 16, 2024.
Each chairmanship candidate presented by political parties will be required to pay N250,000, while male councillorship candidates will be charged N150,000. Female councillorship candidates, however, will pay a reduced fee of N100,000, a move aimed at encouraging greater female participation in politics.
The announcement was made by OGSIEC Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, during a stakeholders’ meeting at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta. Mr. Osibodu, who was represented by Mr. Olatunji Akoni, a Commissioner of the Electoral Commission, emphasized the importance of public involvement in the electoral process, noting that it is crucial for ensuring a free, fair, and credible election.
“The elections are scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 8 am to 2 pm,” Osibodu stated. He added that the reduced fees for female candidates reflect OGSIEC’s commitment to gender sensitivity and its efforts to lower barriers to women’s participation in local governance.
The meeting, which was attended by political parties, associations, religious and community leaders, aimed to build confidence among participants. Osibodu assured that the upcoming election would genuinely reflect the wishes and aspirations of the grassroots population.
In response, Mr. Yinka Williams, the state chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), called on OGSIEC to ensure that the election process is transparent and credible. He also emphasized the importance of voter registration in the success of the upcoming elections.
The meeting also saw the participation of representatives from security agencies, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders.
