LASIEC Assures Lagosians of Inclusivity, Security, and Credibility Ahead of July 12 LG Elections

LASIEC Assures Lagosians of Inclusivity, Security, and Credibility Ahead of July 12 LG Elections

Lagos, July 10, 2025 — As Lagos State prepares for its local government elections scheduled for Saturday, July 12, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has restated its commitment to delivering a free, fair, inclusive, and credible electoral process, with a strong focus on voter safety, accessibility, and stakeholder collaboration.

Speaking during a media briefing held to outline the commission’s final preparations, LASIEC Chairman, retired Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, emphasized that the commission has put in place a robust framework to ensure an electoral process that reflects integrity, inclusiveness, and adherence to democratic values.

According to her, LASIEC has taken deliberate steps to address past shortcomings while working to create an election that prioritizes not only the accuracy of results but also the comfort and participation of all segments of the population, especially vulnerable groups.

“Voting centers have been restructured to bring polling units closer to the people,” she stated. “This will help reduce voter stress and encourage turnout. We are also giving priority to the elderly, nursing mothers, pregnant women, and people with disabilities on election day.”

The LASIEC boss revealed that out of over seven million registered voters in the state, 6,214,970 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and are eligible to vote across 13,325 polling units.

She also disclosed that 15 political parties will participate in the elections, which will produce 57 council chairmen and 376 councillors across Lagos’ 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

In preparation for the exercise, LASIEC has conducted wide-ranging stakeholder engagements, including meetings with civil society organizations, political parties, traditional rulers, market leaders, religious institutions, and persons with disabilities, as well as media professionals and security agencies. The goal, she said, is to ensure that every voter is carried along in the electoral process.

“We visited all LASIEC area offices and held strategic meetings across the five divisions of the state—Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe—to assess readiness and ensure uniformity in operations,” she said.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile added that LASIEC has improved its operational efficiency by training electoral officers and ad-hoc staff, incorporating lessons from previous exercises to strengthen the delivery of electoral duties.

She further assured that all non-sensitive electoral materials have already been deployed, with sensitive materials to follow under tight security supervision. Adequate arrangements have also been made to safeguard lives and property before, during, and after the election.

Also speaking at the briefing, LASIEC Commissioner for Media and Publicity, Akin Oluwo, highlighted the importance of responsible media coverage, urging journalists to verify their reports and avoid content capable of inciting unrest.

“The media is a critical stakeholder in the electoral process. We encourage you to maintain professionalism and reach out to LASIEC officials for clarification when needed,” he appealed.

As Lagosians count down to Saturday’s vote, LASIEC has positioned itself as not only an electoral umpire but also as a proactive partner in promoting democratic participation and citizen confidence.

Reported by Integrity News