By Olasunkanmi Akoni
LAGOS — The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, Tuesday, said of 35 political parties that obtained nomination forms, only 28 had been cleared to contest in the October 22, 2011 local government elections in the state.

Meanwhile, arrangements had been concluded by LASIEC and Lagos State Police Command to deploy about 7,000 policemen to ensure maximum security of lives and property at the 8,645 polling units in the state, while Ajegunle, Mushin, Alimosho, Lagos Island, Ibeju areas were identified as black spots.

The political parties include: APN, ARP, SDMP, KOWA, FRESH,  NMPP, ACN, PDP,  APGA, NCP, ADC, ACCORD, MPPP.

Others are: CFN, CPC, JP, PMP, AA, Labour, MDJ, ACPN, DPP, APS, ALP, ANPP, PRP, ND and NNPP.

Chairman of the commission, Justice Abdul-Fatai Adeyinka (rtd), gave the names of political parties cleared to take part in the election, while briefing newsmen at the commission’s secretariat in Lagos, on the preparation of LASIEC towards conducting free and fair as well as violent free council polls.

Adeyinka said: “Of 35 political parties that obtained the council nomination forms, 28 parties completed and returned the forms. These parties will contest in the 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in Lagos.”

He said the validation of candidates which kicked-off yesterday, for the 28 parties would end on October 9, 2011.

The LASIEC boss said the commission would use the satellite polling units created by INEC in Lagos for the 2011 general elections.

He said: “LASIEC embarked on delineation exercise in 2010 ahead of the 2011 council polls but the result of exercise cannot be used for this election as we are still awaiting final ratification from the office of the Surveyor General and approval from the state governor.”

Adeyinka said the Commission had already commenced the display of voters register in 376 wards across the state on September  26,  which would  end on October 9.

He said: “All dully registered voters are enjoined to visit their respective wards to ensure their names and house addresses were correctly published.”

All complaints, omission or commissions should be channeled through the resident electoral officers in Local government area headquarters of LASIEC,” he said.