In a firm move to uphold electoral integrity and restore public confidence, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has announced that any incidents of ballot snatching during the forthcoming Local Government (LG) elections will lead to the cancellation of results in affected areas and the conduct of by-elections.
The announcement came during a press briefing held at the LASIEC headquarters in Yaba, where the Chairman, Justice Ayotunde Phillips (rtd), addressed journalists and stakeholders. “We want to make it categorically clear,” she said, “that ballot snatching, voter intimidation, or any form of electoral violence will not be tolerated. If such incidents occur in any polling unit, the results from that unit will be rendered null and void, and a by-election will be scheduled.”
This stern warning follows growing concerns over the potential for violence in some hotspots, especially in the build-up to the LG polls slated for next month. Observers and civil society groups had raised the alarm, citing intelligence that suggested some political actors were planning to disrupt the voting process in areas where their chances were slim.
Justice Phillips noted that LASIEC, in partnership with security agencies, has mapped out areas considered high-risk and will deploy additional personnel to maintain peace and order. “We are working closely with the Nigerian Police Force, the Civil Defence Corps, and other relevant agencies to ensure voters are safe and that the process is transparent,” she said.
Reactions to the commission’s announcement have been mixed. While many hailed the decision as a bold step toward credible elections, others expressed skepticism about enforcement. A chieftain of one of the opposition parties in Lagos, who requested anonymity, said, “The threat of by-elections is a deterrent on paper, but the real issue is implementation. We hope LASIEC walks the talk this time.”
Residents across the state have also expressed hope that the elections will be peaceful and fair. Mariam Oladipo, a teacher in Surulere, said, “We are tired of elections being marred by violence. If LASIEC is serious about disqualifying results from disrupted polling units, then maybe politicians will think twice before causing chaos.”
LASIEC concluded the briefing with a call to political parties and candidates to adhere strictly to the rules. “Let us make this election about ideas, not intimidation,” Justice Phillips said.
As the countdown to the elections begins, all eyes are now on LASIEC and the political actors to see if this decisive stance against electoral malpractice will finally usher in a new era of credible grassroots governance in Lagos.
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