Lagos, Nigeria – July 11, 2025
The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has issued a stern warning ahead of Saturday’s local government elections, stating that any instance of ballot box snatching will result in an automatic by-election in the affected area.
This declaration was made by the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.), during a press briefing held on Thursday at the Tripple C Event Centre, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile assured residents of the Commission’s unwavering commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election across the 57 local councils in the state.
“There will be by-elections if a ballot box is snatched anywhere,” she emphasized while responding to questions from journalists.
The LASIEC Chair added that while the Commission hopes for a peaceful electoral process, it is fully prepared to take decisive action should any disruption occur. “We do not pray for such incidents, but if they happen, we will not hesitate to organize a by-election in the affected local council to ensure the integrity of the process,” she said.
Justice Okikiolu-Ighile also reaffirmed that security agencies have been adequately mobilized to safeguard the electoral process and ensure that voters can exercise their franchise without fear.
The announcement reinforces LASIEC’s resolve to uphold electoral integrity and discourage any attempts to undermine the democratic process.