LAGOS STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (LASIEC)
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) was established through law.15 of Lagos state, on November 27, 2001.
The New LASIEC headed by Hon. Justice Fatai Afolabi Adeyinka (Rtd) was inaugurated on 18th May, 2007 by immediate past Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
BOARD MEMBERS OF THE LAGOS STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION
MESSAGE FROM HON. JUSTICE FATAI AFOLABI ADEYINKA (RTD) CHAIRMAN; LAGOS STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (LASIEC).
It is with great pleasure and profound privileged that I address the entire stakeholders in the political and electoral activities of Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general . My address will basically touch on the mission statement of my administration as chairman of the Commission and what we wish to achieve in the long run.
This Commission comprising men and lady of proven integrity and excellent administrators was constituted on the 18th of May 2007 by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the immediate past Executive Governor of the State, after the tenure of the pioneer Commission, headed by Hon. Justice Christopher Segun (Rtd) expired in January, 2007.
Our Mission statement is "to set in motion necessary machineries to ensure hitch - free Local Government Elections through an effective logistic planning which includes proposal for intensive training programmes for the Electoral Personnel, so as to avoid unnecessary confusion and violence usually associated with election processes."
Therefore, in line with our mission statement what we wish to achieve include:
(i) Conducting the freest, fairest and credible Local Government elections devoid of violence, thugery and nepotism which have characterized previous elections throughout the country.
(ii) To ensure that winners of the Councillorship and Chairmanship elections in the State are true holders of the peoples' mandate.
(iii) To lay an enviable record of election conduct that will be a reference point for future elections in Lagos State in particular and Nigeria at large.
Let me at this juncture state that my colleagues and I, viewed our appointment into this Commission as a divine call to service, hence our resolve to place the fear of God and the interest of our people above all other considerations in the performance of our duty, is definitely not in doubt.
Therefore, I appeal to ail stakeholders to stand firm against all those who would seek to upset this hard-earned democracy for personal and selfish purpose to the detriment of the State in particular and the Country at large.
>>HISTORY OF LASIEC<<
Establishment of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) was provided for by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which states in section 197(1) : "There shall be established for each state of the Federation, the state Independent Electoral Commission whose composition and power are as set out in part 11 of the third schedule to this constitution".
It is therefore in line with this Constitutional Provision that the Lagos State House of Assembly, established the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) through law No. 15 of November 27, 2001 and was inaugurated on 22nd January, 2002 by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Immediate past Executive Governor of Lagos State.
The Commission at inception, operated at the Women Development Centre, Agege and the Lagos State School of Nursing and Mid-wifery, Ikoyi, after which it finally relocated to its present head office complex at 2, Birrel Avenue, Sabo-Yaba, on Monday 15th April, 2002.
<<FUNCTION>>
According to part 1, sections of LASIEC law No. 15 of 2001, the functions of the Commission include:-
(i) To organise, undertake and supervise all elections to Local Government Councils within the state.
(ii) To render such advice as it may consider necessary to the Independent National Electoral Commission on the compilation of the register of voters.
(iii) To provide guideline to political parties stipulating the rules and procedure for electioneering campaigns for Local Government election.
(iv) To assign Poll Clerks and Orderlies in respect of each polling station or unit to assist at the taking of the poll; and
(v) Carry out such other functions as may be conferred on it by the law.
<<PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION BEFORE THE PRESENT>>
The pioneer administration in the Commission was headed by Hon. Justice Christopher O. Segun (Rtd). He was a retired Chief Judge of Lagos State. He was Chairman between (Jan. 2002 - Jan. 2007).
Others are Electoral Commissioners; Lateef Babatunde Ajao, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Public Service (Jan. 2002 -Jan. 2007) Dr. (Mrs) Muinat Iyabo Foresythe, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Mininstry of Health (Jan. 2002 - Jan. 2007). Barr. Tokun Pedro, a Legal Luminary (2002- Jan. 2007); Barr. Musbau Adewale Oyefeso, a Legal Luminary (2003 Jan. 2007); Alh. Waheed Abolaji Erogbogbo (Late), a retired Senior Public Servant (Jan. 2002 - Jan. 2007); and Mr. Joshua Seive Kayode, also a Senior retired Public Servant (Jan. 2002 - Jan. 2007).
The Secretary to the Commission was Mr. Ezekiel Akinola Oyenusi, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Public Service (Jan. 2002-Jan. 2007). The pioneer administration was inaugurated on 22nd January 2002 by Asiwaju Sola Ahmed Tinubu, the immediate former Executive Governor of Lagos State.
The Pioner Administration was things priviledged to among many other things;
* Conducted a referendum on 21st May, 2002 for the creation of 37 Local Government Development Areas in addition to the existing 20 Local Government Areas.
* Conducted Chairmanship and Councillorship election into the 57 Local Government Areas on 27th March, 2004
* Monitored the November 2004 US Presidential Election.
|
