The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) promised swift justice and democratic restoration after announcing that any ballot box snatching during Saturday’s (Today) local government election will trigger an immediate by‑election.
LASIEC Chair Justice Bola Okikiolu‑Ighile (retired) gave the assurance at a press briefing in Sabo, Yaba, affirming the commission’s commitment to a free, fair and credible poll across all 57 local councils .
Okikiolu‑Ighile emphasized, “There will be by‑elections if a ballot box is snatched anywhere.
While we don’t pray for such to happen, we are prepared to act accordingly,” directly addressing concerns about election security. Her remarks reinforced LASIEC’s readiness and decency in ensuring every vote counts.
She pinpoints today’s polls will proceed as scheduled, with no plans to postpone, and that LASIEC has fully prepared all materials and personnel for transparent results collation.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Police deployed over 30,000 officers across 13,325 polling units, bolstered by intervention teams, marine police, and tactical units to deter electoral fraud and violence .
Police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin clarified that movement restrictions now begin at 6:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. on election day, revised from an earlier 3:00 a.m. start time, to accommodate emergency and international travellers.
Lagos Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh reaffirmed the force’s neutrality and urged residents to vote peacefully, reminding political actors and voters that wrongdoing will face legal consequences.
LASIEC also disclosed that voter accreditation will use a lightweight telephone‐based electronic device instead of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), ensuring efficient authentication in all wards and councils.
With over seven million registered voters, including more than six million eligible PVC holders, LASIEC assured that sensitive materials have been deployed under security supervision, ensuring collation centres remain open and transparent .
