The House of Representatives has taken preliminary steps to strip State Independent Electoral Commissions of the power to conduct local government elections.
A bill to that effect passed its first reading on the floor of the House last Thursday.
It was 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.”
Sponsored by the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, alongside 24 others, the bill seeks to delete Section 98 (1) of the Electoral Act and replace it with a new sub-section.
Section 98 (1), Part VI (Procedure for Election to Area Council) of the Electoral Act currently states: “The conduct of elections into the offices of Chairman, Vice Chairman, and a member of an Area Council and the recall of a member of an Area Council shall be under the direction and supervision of the commission (INEC) in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
The new sub-section, cited as the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, reads: “The conduct of elections into the offices of Chairman, Vice Chairman, and a member of an Area Council and the recall of a member of an Area Council shall be conducted solely by the commission in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
According to the explanatory memorandum, the bill “seeks to amend the Electoral Act 2022 to vest the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the power to conduct Local Government Area Council elections for all the Local Government Areas across the country.”
Prominent groups and eminent Nigerians, including federal lawmakers, have been vocal in their demand for INEC to take over the conduct of council elections, citing the influence and control of state governors over local governments.
INEC has consistently reiterated its readiness to assume the responsibility of conducting local government elections if the National Assembly amends the relevant laws governing the country’s electoral processes.
