The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has commenced the distribution of election materials on Saturday at the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, marking a decisive step toward the statewide local government elections scheduled for today.
LASIEC officials and ad-hoc staff sorted sensitive and non-sensitive materials at the Amuwo-Odofin Secretariat before dispatching them to 14 Local Council Development Areas under both Amuwo-Odofin and Oriade LGAs. The morning operation reportedly proceeded without incident, reflecting logistical coordination and security readiness .
Amid a context of intense civic expectation, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called on eligible voters to participate in large numbers, affirming LASIEC’s capacity and directing strategic deployment of security forces to safeguard polling units.
Accompanying the material rollout, security personnel, including police and civil defence agents, ensured the secure transfer of voting supplies and the protection of electoral officials.
The LASIEC chairperson, Justice Bola Okikiolu‑Ighile, stated that over six million Lagosians are expected to cast their votes across 13,325 polling units spread in 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs, representing an electoral exercise of significant scale .
LASIEC’s voter education campaign has expanded access and awareness, especially among women, youth, traders, and people with disabilities.
The commission increased the number of polling units from 8,000 in 2021 to 13,325, aiming to reduce travel barriers and boost turnout.
This inclusive drive aligns with broader efforts to deepen civic engagement and democratic participation at the grassroots.
As the election begins, more than 139 chairmanship candidates from ten political parties are vying for leadership across 57 councils, with 842 aspirants contesting 376 councillorship seats.
While the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding candidates in every race, opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) are contesting select constituencies, intensifying the competitive landscape .
A civil society, Enough Is Enough, has raised concerns about LASIEC’s transparency, highlighting late release of candidate lists and insufficient stakeholder consultation.
But LASIEC insists on its impartiality and readiness to deliver a credible election. The Lagos State Police reinforced the security framework with over 30,000 personnel across land and waterways, supported by air assets and rapid response units.
