In accordance with the provision of the law, electoral management remains a key function of the electoral body. Conducting free, fair and credible elections devoid of chaos is crucial and significant to strengthening and upholding democracy. To this end, the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission has pledged its resolve to conduct an election that is not only fair but seen to be fair, equitable, transparent and adjudged the best in the annals of democracy
By Akindele Damilola
Local Government (LG) elections are a crucial aspect of Nigeria democratic system, providing citizens with a direct say in the affair of their immediate communities. It is a vital component of democratic governance that offers citizens the opportunity to shape and advocate for better life in their domain.
LG key functions cannot be de-emphasised. It is the third tier of government that concentrates on grassroots development. It also serves as the bedrock and foundation for democracy to thrive and it is a means to bring governance closer to the people. The local government elections, often overlooked by many, hold immense significance in determining the quality of life, infrastructural development and service delivery at the grassroot level. These elections determine the leadership of local councils which are responsible for providing basic amenities such as health care and basic education, as well as implementing developmental projects that address the specific needs of the people.
It is instructive to state that local government elections are been conducted by State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), and In Nigeria, local government elections have been held since 1996, with varying degrees of success. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees critical features of local governance and vested powers in elected local government chairmen and councilors, including other officials.
Despite its challenges, local government elections remain vital for Nigeria democratic development. Some individuals have however objected to SIEC conducting local elections. They believe that Agency is often influenced by the State government that established and also funds them. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, section 197(1) established the State Independent Electoral Commission, and section 14(1) and 15(e) of Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (as amended) empowers the OGSIEC to conduct and oversee all local government council elections in the State.With the expiration of the tenure of Council chairmen and councilors in June 2024, the Ogun state Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), is set to conduct the 2024 LG elections for Chairmanship and Councillorship positions in the 20 local government areas and 236 wards across the State.
To increase participation of political parties and youth in the election, OGSIEC reduced the age qualification for candidates seeking political position, from 30 to 25 years. The amendment follows a review of law governing the conduct of local government elections, in accordance with section 106 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which stipulates that a candidate is qualified for election, if he or she has attained the age of 25years.The Commission on August 7, 2024 commenced the electoral process with a stakeholders meeting, where OGSIEC unveiled the electoral guidelines and timetable for the elections in the presence of religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society, non-governmental organisation, security agencies, artisans, market leaders and the media. Mutual relationships and strong partnerships were established to address issues of concerns, while constructive feedbacks were encouraged towards achieving smooth electoral process.
The Chairman OGSIEC, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, pledged the Commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, equitable and transparent election, providing all registered political parties in the State an equal level playing field. To ensure that the public is carried along on the electoral processes, Mr. Osibodu featured on several media programmes to intimated the public and furnish them with details on the level of preparedness of the Commission towards the forthcoming elections in the State. Voter education remains paramount. As a result, the Commission continues to sensitise people across the 20 local government areas of the State, through voter education campaigns.
Various media platforms have equally been embraced by the Commission to disseminate information. Mr. Osibodu has continued to call on individuals, with proven track record, to join in the administration of local government, while also urging political parties to present the best of their candidates with credible credentials as such category of people will further strengthen grassroots democracy in Nigeria.
As the political race heightens, the umpire boss has re-emphasised the need for political parties to campaign rigorously and convince eligible electorate to vote on election day. He said the results do not depend on the Commission but on the voters, who he described as the most vibrant, crucial and significant in any democratic setting, as well as credible and loyal agents at the polling units, who are to verify and sign results sheets. Being an electorate gives people the power to take part in governance by choosing the right people that will serve as their leaders.
The electorate needs to be well versed in the choice of their candidates and political parties they represent, understand their roles further as ‘change agent’ by sensitising people in their various localities that when majority fail to exercise their franchise, they give the politicians the opportunity to manipulate the process.Security remains a critical component in any electoral process, as it ensures reliability and legitimacy of elections. It is on this note that OGSIEC is collaborating with all security agencies, including Department of State Security Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Civil Defense, So Safe Corps, and Amotekun, to prevent violence, intimidation, snatching of ballot boxes and other voting materials by hoodlums, as well as ensure the protection of lives and property.
In accordance with the provision of the law, electoral management remains a key function of the electoral body. Conducting free, fair and credible elections devoid of chaos is crucial and significant to strengthening and upholding democracy. To this end, the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission has pledged its resolve to conduct an election that is not only fair but seen to be fair, equitable, transparent and adjudged the best in the annals of democracy.
•Akindele Damilola is a Press Officer, Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC).
•Opinions, positions or thoughts expressed here are personal and strictly of the writer/author and not The Daily Crucible.
