The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission(LASIEC) has warned that a by-election will be conducted in areas with incidents of ballot box snatching during Saturday’s local government election

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Chairman of the commission, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.), assured that LASIEC is fully prepared to deliver a free, fair, and credible poll across the 57 local councils in the state.

“There will be by-elections if a ballot box is snatched anywhere,” she said while answering questions from journalists at Triple C Event Centre, Sabo Yaba, Lagos.

“While we don’t pray for such to happen,” there would be a need to conduct a by-election in any local council where such happened,” the LASIEC boss said.

The commission also assured the general public that there was no threat to postpone the election in any way after it was fixed for July 12, 2025.

Already, the Lagos State Police Command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Wednesday, also announced restrictions on movements on Saturday, July 12, 2025, to ensure successful conduct and security. On Thursday, the police, however, announced the adjustment of the time on movement restrictions in the state for the election.

“To alleviate the problem of residents with critical medical emergencies and appointments, and those with longtime international travel plans in and out of the country, the restriction of vehicular movement is hereby readjusted to commence at 6:00 am and end at 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025, and not from 3.00 am as earlier announced.

“Members of the public are enjoined to cooperate and respect the new timing,” Hundeyin said in a statement. The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, reiterated the commitment of the command to ensuring a secure, safe, and orderly electoral process.