Lagos and Ogun States would today conduct local government elections, with the promise by the electoral bodies to ensure free and fair polls.
Both states have equally announced restriction of movements to allow the electorates participate in the elections.
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While restriction in Lagos takes place between 8am and 3pm, Ogun handed down a nine-hour restriction, taking effect between 7 in the morning and 4pm.
Addressing newsmen Friday, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission said 15 political parties registered and would be participating in the Saturday poll.
The chairman of the LASIEC, Mrs Ayotunde Philips, assured of security before, during and after the election.
In Ogun State, there was confusion on the participation of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.
A faction backed by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, under the chairmanship of Sikirulai Ogundele, announced withdrawal from the election, but another faction led by Leke Shittu insisted on featuring in the poll.
The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) had recognised Shittu’s faction based on a court order, and thereby accepted its list of candidates for the July 24 election.
But Ogundele had earlier dragged the OGSIEC to court for dealing with a faction loyal to the late Buruji Kashamu of the PDP.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of police, Lagos State command, Hakeen Odumosu, in a statement yesterday vowed to deal ruthlessly with anyone or group of persons involved in electoral violence and thuggery during and after the local government election.
Abdullateef Aliyu, Eugene Agha, Lagos & Peter Moses, Abeokuta
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