16th February, 2018
The Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission ( LASIEC ), Justice Ayotunde Phillips (Rtd) has urged political parties and their members to demonstrate more commitment to the sensitization and mobilization of eligible voters for active participation in the electoral process to reduce the current high rate of voter apathy in the country.
Phillips gave the charge while speaking during a courtesy visit of the members of the new executive of the Inter- Party Advisory Council ( IPAC ), Lagos State chapter, to the Commission.
She observed that many people in the upper middle class and the elite did not participate in the electoral process because politicians seeking elective offices were not doing enough to personally engage and communicate with the electorate in their areas, stressing that the elite would not want to vote for persons they do not know.
While congratulating the new executive members of IPAC on their appointment, the Chairman commended IPAC for its support and collaboration which offered the Commission very useful suggestions and pieces of advice for the successful conduct of the July 22, 2017 Local Government Elections in the State.
Phillips revealed that the Commission would embark on an aggressive continuous civic education and sensitization of voters with a view to mobilizing the citizenry for effective participation in the electoral process, noting, however, that political parties must also play their own role in this regard.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of IPAC, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Kola Ajayi, who led the other members of the executive of the Council to the meeting, disclosed that IPAC was working hard to reduce the alarming rate of voter apathy, adding that the Council had already commenced mobilization of eligible voters to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards and vote during elections.
Mr. Ajayi also disclosed that IPAC would soon embark on a State- wide mass campaign and sensitization to mobilize eligible voters in the State for active participation in the electoral process at all levels.
In his contribution at the occasion, an Electoral Commissioner of the Commission, Prof. Tunde Babawale, noted that political parties become active only during elections. He, therefore, advised political parties to develop structures for continuous voter education with a view to reducing voter apathy in the electoral process.
The Inter- Party Advisory Council ( IPAC ) is a body having registered political parties as members.