The people of Lagos State will today file out to elect candidates of their choice to chairmanship and councillorship offices in the state.
The election will hold across the 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.
Most major parties including the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Accord, Alliance for Democracy, Labour Party and Kowa Party are participating in the electoral process.
Ahead of the election which will be conducted by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, restriction of movement on Saturday had been announced.
The move, is to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election.
The restriction was announced by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.
According to the commissioner, the restriction would allow the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and the security agencies to distribute electoral materials in good time and ensure the sanctity of free and fair electoral process.
His words: “The police and other security agencies are ready to ensure that the electioneering campaign and the voting on Saturday are conducted smoothly without public disturbance.
“Every political party, candidates and their supporters and the general public are hereby assured of safety throughout the period of voting and collation.
“However, the government solicits the cooperation of voters and the general public by obeying the restriction order and the general electoral rules in order to ensure a peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.”
He also quoted Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as urging the people of Lagos State to perform their civic obligations by trooping out with their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) “to once again demonstrate their belief in the tenets of participatory democracy and the importance of development at the local government level.”
Meanwhile, the police have warned that anyone caught with firearms on or after the election would be dealt with.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, there was the need to ensure a peaceful election and no fewer than 30,000 policemen had been directed to man different parts of the state.
