The Osun LG elections faced disruptions as police sealed OSSIEC’s headquarters and arrested officials, delaying accreditation. OSSIEC Chairman Hashim Abioye confirmed voting resumed after new materials were deployed. Opposition parties criticized the police’s actions, raising concerns about the election’s fairness and the credibility of the process.
Tension arose in Osun State as police sealed the headquarters of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) and arrested staff on election duty. The OSSIEC Chairman, Hashim Abioye, revealed that security operatives disrupted the election process by detaining officials and preventing access to accreditation materials.
According to Abioye, the arrests caused delays in delivering materials to some polling units, affecting the smooth conduct of the election. However, he assured voters that new materials had been dispatched and voting was proceeding in affected areas.
The incident has sparked reactions from political stakeholders, with some alleging interference in the electoral process. Reports indicate that the lockdown affected voter turnout, as many electorates were discouraged by the disruptions.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have criticized the police’s actions, questioning their motives for targeting election officials. Some analysts believe the move could escalate political tensions in the state, especially amid accusations of bias in security deployment.
Despite these challenges, OSSIEC remains committed to conducting the election as scheduled. Observers continue to monitor the situation as results are expected to be announced after voting concludes.
The state government and law enforcement agencies have yet to officially comment on the reason behind the arrests and the closure of OSSIEC’s headquarters. However, concerns remain over the implications of such actions on the credibility of the local government poll.
