By Isaac Olamikan
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated the seven-member Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), headed by Justice James Oyomire (Rtd.), to conduct elections into local government councils across the state.
The governor, during the swearing-in at the Government House, Benin City, charged the commission to be neutral in the conduct of the council poll, ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair and transparent, The Trumpet gathered.
Members of the committee include Mrs. Gladys Idahor, Mr. Uduafi Gabriel, Mr. Felix Ebhota, Mr. Okekuoyen Ehiedu, Mr. Michael Em manuel and Mr. Vincent The Governor said that the newly constituted commission had
the task of midwifing a new democratic dispensation at the local councils to deepen the dividends of democracy and bring government closer to the people.
“We, as government, are very sensitive to the role of the electoral umpire because we are beneficiaries of a free and fair process and having benefited from a free process, are fully committed to ensuring that others have the same privilege and benefits that we enjoyed, which brought us into power.”he said
He continued: “With the improvements in the electoral process in the state, we hope to conduct a local government election that will be seen as credible and acceptable by the generality of our people. As a government, we will support you to ensure that you deliver on your mandate”
He appealed to all the political leaders and actors to play plain so that the people could choose those who would lead them and engender sustainable development in the state Justice Oyomire , the Chairman of the Commission, thanked the governor for finding them worthy for the appointment, pledging that the committee would carry out its duty diligently in the interest of the people of Edo State.
