Ayodele Adio, a Youth Party chairmanship candidate for Eti-Osa Local Government Area in the upcoming Lagos State local government elections, has raised serious concerns about the legality and transparency of the electoral process. His primary contention centers around the delineation of polling units by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), which he argues is an unconstitutional act solely within the purview of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Adio asserts that LASIEC’s actions constitute an abuse of power and a deliberate attempt to manipulate the electoral process, potentially leading to significant conflict and tension, similar to the disputes witnessed in Warri, Delta State, due to INEC’s polling unit delineation. He emphasizes that only INEC possesses the constitutional authority to delineate polling units and registration areas, rendering LASIEC’s actions illegal.
Adio’s concerns extend beyond the polling unit delineation to encompass the conduct of elections in the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within Lagos State. He argues that these LCDAs lack constitutional recognition, making the allocation of funds and the conduct of elections within their boundaries unlawful. He highlights the inherent contradiction in the state government’s actions, pointing out that while they conduct elections and allocate funds to these unrecognized LCDAs, members of the ruling party are simultaneously sponsoring a constitutional amendment bill to legitimize their existence. This, Adio argues, is a clear admission of the current illegality of the LCDAs and underscores the government’s attempt to circumvent due process by seeking retrospective legitimacy.
The candidate criticizes the government’s approach of “putting the cart before the horse” by conducting elections in the LCDAs while simultaneously seeking to legalize them through a constitutional amendment. This process, he contends, undermines the rule of law and democratic principles. He emphasizes that the proper procedure would involve securing the constitutional amendment first, which requires approval by two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly, before proceeding with elections. Adio’s argument highlights the potential for significant legal challenges and disputes arising from the current approach, emphasizing the need to adhere to constitutional processes and ensure the legitimacy of electoral procedures.
Further compounding the issue, Adio points to a lack of transparency in the electoral preparations. With just a month before the elections, he reveals that political parties have not been provided with a polling guide, hindering their ability to prepare and deploy agents effectively. The absence of this crucial information raises concerns about the fairness and credibility of the elections, as parties are left without essential details regarding polling unit locations. This lack of transparency, coupled with LASIEC’s request for the submission of polling agent names despite the absence of a polling guide, fuels Adio’s suspicion of a predetermined process designed to create a façade of legitimacy.
The demand for the submission of polling agent names without access to polling unit locations presents a significant logistical and strategic challenge for political parties. It makes it practically impossible for parties to effectively deploy their agents, who play a crucial role in monitoring the voting process and ensuring its fairness. Adio argues that this deliberate lack of transparency effectively disenfranchises participating parties and creates an uneven playing field, favoring the ruling party. The inability to properly deploy agents compromises the integrity of the elections and raises serious doubts about the commitment to a free and fair electoral process.
In conclusion, Adio’s accusations paint a picture of a deeply flawed electoral process in Lagos State, characterized by unconstitutional actions, a lack of transparency, and potential for manipulation. He calls for urgent reforms to address these issues, emphasizing the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions and ensuring a transparent and fair electoral process. He stresses that the current approach undermines democracy and erodes public trust, highlighting the need for immediate action to rectify the identified irregularities and ensure the integrity of the forthcoming local government elections. Adio’s concerns underscore the critical need for electoral reforms in Lagos State to ensure compliance with the constitution, promote transparency, and foster public trust in the democratic process.
