Ahead of this Saturday’s Councils elections, the chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ODIEC), Dr. Joseph Aremo, has declared that 12 Political parties will be participating in the election and PDP’s withdrawal will not affect the conduct of the polls.
Addressing a press conference in Akure on Thursday, Dr Aremo said the withdrawal of the main opposition party, “will not undermine the electoral process.
The ODIEC Boss said, “the PDP has been part of the process—screening candidates, submitting agents, and attending our workshops—the withdrawal of one party out of 13 will not undermine the electoral process.
“We cannot jeopardize the interests of the other participating parties or the people they represent. Our priority remains to conduct a credible, free, and fair election.
He emphasized that the withdrawal of the PDP, though unexpected, would not affect the integrity or smooth running of the election.
“PDP has been an active part of this process,” Dr. Aremo explained during a press briefing. “Their candidates participated in screenings, their documents were verified, and just two days ago, they submitted the list of their agents. However, yesterday, I received a letter informing us of their decision to withdraw.”
“Our focus remains on the voters,” he said. “We have done everything necessary to ensure a free, fair, and credible process. Workshops, training, and seminars were organized for all political parties and stakeholders to clarify their roles and responsibilities.”
Dr. Aremo also noted that PDP representatives had, until recently, expressed confidence in the process, both during official meetings and in public statements.
On security arrangements, the chairman highlighted a three-phase plan designed to ensure safety before, during, and after the election. “We have deployed security personnel to protect polling stations, election materials, and voters,” he said. “Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels safe to come out and vote.”
Dr. Aremo expressed confidence in the preparations and reiterated the commission’s determination to deliver an election that meets the highest standards of transparency and credibility.
