The House of Representatives has initiated legislative steps to transfer the authority to conduct local government elections from State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This move comes in response to growing demands for a more independent and standardized electoral process at the local government level.
Last Thursday, a bill titled, “A Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act, 2022 to vest INEC with the power to conduct Local Government Council Elections and for Related Matters,” passed its first reading on the floor of the House.
Sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, along with 24 other legislators, the bill seeks to amend Section 98 (1) of the Electoral Act. The current section stipulates that elections for Chairman, Vice Chairman, and members of Area Councils are to be conducted under the direction and supervision of SIECs. The proposed amendment would vest this authority solely in INEC.
The explanatory memorandum of the bill states its objective clearly: to amend the Electoral Act 2022 and empower INEC to conduct local government elections for all Local Government Areas nationwide.
This legislative push aligns with the sentiments of many Nigerians and federal lawmakers who have voiced concerns over the influence and control state governors exert over local governments. The call for INEC to assume responsibility for local government elections has gained traction, with proponents arguing that it would enhance the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has consistently expressed the commission’s readiness to take on this expanded role if the National Assembly amends the relevant laws. Speaking before a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters in July 2024, Yakubu stated:
“The same Constitution that created INEC also created the State’s Electoral Commissions. So, it is up to the National Assembly to amend the law to transfer that responsibility to INEC. If the responsibility for the conduct of local government elections is transferred to INEC, can INEC cope with it? The answer is yes! INEC can cope.
“By definition, INEC is the Independent National Electoral Commission, but right now, we handle only national and state elections—not local government elections. A national electoral commission may be expected to handle only the presidential and National Assembly elections, but we also oversee gubernatorial elections, state Assembly elections, and the Area Councils elections in the Federal Capital Territory, the only part of the country where INEC currently conducts local government elections.
“Broadly speaking, if you ask us if we can handle local government elections, yes, we can. When will this happen? When you amend the law and empower the commission to do so,” Yakubu affirmed.
The proposed amendment is seen as a significant step towards ensuring a more uniform and impartial electoral process across Nigeria’s local governments, potentially curbing the undue influence of state governors and enhancing democratic governance at the grassroots level.