The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed for second reading a bill seeking to create the National Local Government Electoral Commission, an independent body responsible for conducting and supervising elections for Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councilors across the country.
The bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, was presented on the floor of the House by the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.
If passed into law, the proposed commission will ensure credible, transparent, and fair elections at the local government level, thereby strengthening democracy at the grassroots.
According to the bill, the commission will consist of a Chairman and 37 members representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Chairman, who will serve as the Chief Electoral Officer, along with other board members, will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Council of State, subject to Senate confirmation.
The commission will be mandated to submit periodic reports on its activities and election outcomes to the President, National Assembly, and the general public to enhance accountability and transparency.
The bill seeks to amend Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution to grant the commission the authority to regulate political parties and their candidates during local government elections.
The proposed commission will also be responsible for setting election timetables, managing polling processes, overseeing voter registration, and maintaining an accurate voter register. It will ensure eligible citizens participate in elections while also enforcing campaign finance laws and electoral codes of conduct.
Also, the commission will design and implement voter education programmes to enlighten the public on the importance of local government elections and their role in the democratic process, aiming to reduce voter apathy.
The bill also provides that the Secretary of the Board shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the commission’s board and must be a qualified legal practitioner with a minimum of 10 years of experience.
