By Monsuru Olowoopejo
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday received the report on delineation of wards and polling units in the state, saying “the report will assist Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in conducting free and fair election in 2015.”

Fashola who received the report at the State House, Marina from the State Resident Electoral Commission, LASIEC, Retired Justice Fatai Adeyinka, said that the report will serve as a veritable tool for the national electoral body to function effective and to have a ‘carnival like’ election in 2015 general election.

On the reason for the report, the governor explained that the exercise was borne out of the need to ensure that residents, particularly those in new settlements and riverine communities, are not disenfranchised.

According to him, “Many densely populated housing estates have been constructed in Lagos over the last eight years. “

He opined that INEC may not be aware of this, adding “So the only way to solve this challenge is to embark on the delineation of wards and polling units.”

Speaking earlier, Adeyinka said that the process involved a series of stakeholders’ forum where boundary disputes were identified as part of the challenges which could mar the forthcoming elections in the state.

According to him, “the process for the delineation began in 2010 but was suspended because of local council elections in the state.”

The LASIEC boss added that the exercise resumed in 2013, pointing out that the report was meant to serve as recommendations which would help the state in resolving boundary issues.

He emphasized that the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), would find the report very useful in the conduct of 2015 and subsequent elections in the state.

Adeyinka noted that five states in the Federation had made requests to understudy LASIEC’s approach because of the success recorded on the delineation of wards.