Ogun State Election Commission Clarifies Administrative Charges for Local Government Elections
The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has issued a statement clarifying that administrative charges for the upcoming 2024 local government elections are directed at political parties, not individual candidates. This move has sparked controversy, with various political parties in the state describing the fee as exorbitant and unacceptable.
According to Media Talk Africa, OGSIEC chairman, Babatunde Osibodu, announced that chairmanship candidates of various political parties must pay a sum of N250,000. Male councillorship candidates are required to pay N150,000, while female candidates will pay N100,000 for the election slated for November 16, 2024.
Osibodu maintained that the charges aim to boost participation and commitment among political parties. In a radio interview in Abeokuta, he explained that each party must pay the administrative fee to demonstrate greater commitment, encouraging more than just a few of the 19 registered parties to show interest.
The commission chairman also emphasized that OGSIEC has the legal authority to impose the fee, having sought legal counsel and received approval from the State House of Assembly. He highlighted the release of the election timetable and guidelines as the first step in the electoral process, assuring that further engagements with political parties and stakeholders will follow.
Osibodu stressed the importance of party participation, stating, “If political parties choose not to participate, they cannot later complain if a single party dominates the election. Non-participation is tantamount to conceding defeat.”
