LASIEC confirms APC, PDP, APGA, 11 other political parties for July 24 LG elections

Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, (LASIEC), on Friday, announced the list of 14 political parties that submitted nomination forms to contest in the July 24, 2021 Local Goverment elections in Lagos.

The exercise is scheduled to be held in 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs of the state.

LASIEC Chairman, Retired Justice Ayotunde Philips, however disclosed that the Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP), collected nomination forms but did not submit.

The list of the political parties as arranged alphabetically, are:

ACCORD

ACTION ALLI

ADP

AAC

APC

APGA

APM

BOOT

LABOUR

NRM

NNPP

PDP

SDP

YPP.

Recall that earlier in May, LASIEC unveiled guidelines for the forthcoming local government elections.

Philips stated in the guidelines issued that the commission had fixed N150, 000, N100, 000 and N75, 000 as nomination forms fees for the chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship candidates, respectively.

“Political parties are required to obtain the following LASIEC Forms: LASIEC 001, LASIEC 002, and LASIEC 008 for their candidates as from May 4. This ends at 12 noon, May 5 at the commission’s headquarters, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos.

“LASIEC form 001 must be completed and returned to the commission by the political parties not later than June 4”.

According to her, each candidate was required to attach copies of curriculum vitae, birth certificate/affidavit of age, party membership card, sponsor’s voter registration card, education qualification, and letter of disengagement from previous employment to the completed form.

Philips added that the minimum age for a councillorship post is 25 years while that of the chairmanship position is 30 years.

LASIEC Chairman said that candidates for the position of chairman must be nominated by 20 registered voters in his or her Local Government (LG) or Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Philips added that candidates for the position of councilor must be nominated by 10 registered voters in his or her ward.

LASIEC Chairman admonished political parties against abusive and inciting statements during the electioneering campaign, stressing that political rallies should focus on party manifestos.

Philips further cautioned against bribery or other forms of inducement to voters directly or indirectly by political parties’ candidates or agents.

The LASIEC Chairman said: “Campaigns or addresses should not be based on sectional, ethnic or religious sentiments or prejudices.

“Political parties’ rallies must not extend beyond 6 p.m. on any day within the specified period. Election campaigns must end on July 22 by 6 p.m.

“Failure to comply with any of the above guidelines and other provisions of the law shall attract appropriate sanctions as provided for in the LASIEC Law 2008 (as amended).”

The chairman called on candidates and stakeholders to strictly adhere to all COVID-19 existing regulations and rules in the state during campaigns.

She noted that all political parties intending to field candidates for any of the positions in the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs must adhere to the guidelines to avoid being sanctioned.

On its part, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, (IPAC), called for downward review of the nomination fees to boost more inclusive participation in the election.