Olu Samuel
The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), has presented the new state independent electoral law to the election stakeholders in the state, with a view to reviewing the provisions of the state electoral framework.
Chairman of Kogi State independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Mamman Eri, said at review meeting on Friday in Lokoja that Kogi State new Independent Electoral Commission law had been drafted with consideration to the provisions of the national electoral act 2022, with regards to the local government electoral jurisprudence in Nigeria.
“Kogi SIEC was guided by the provisions of the national electoral act 2022 concerning the conduct of area council elections in the federal capital territory, Abuja, as all elections conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions in violation of the national electoral act would be invalid.
Eri advised political parties to avoid presenting double candidates to the electoral Commission as witnessed in the last local government council elections in the State, as any political parties with controversial candidates risk exclusion from the forthcoming council elections in 2026.
The Chairman said substitution of candidates must be done within the timeline and urged political parties and other stakeholders to begin early preparations for participation in the electoral process.
According to Kogi SIEC Chairman,Kogi State was the first among states in Nigeria to review its electoral law, in line with the federal electoral law 2022, making Kogi State Independent electoral law a model to other States in Nigeria to emulate.
“We must work within the electoral timeline to avoid unnecessary litigations and time loss to fulfil our mandate, which is to deliver free and credible council elections in the State. We equally seek full support and collaboration of all election stakeholders in Kogi State towards building public confidence in the electoral process as we begin preparations for a conduct of the next local government elections in Kogi State.
Responding to the Civil Society concerns in the State on lack of budgetary provisions for funding electoral activities of the State Independent Electoral Commission as provided by the law, Eri says.
“We encourage the civil society in the state to lead agitations for timely release of funds to the state Independent Electoral Commission, as provided in the State independent Electoral law,” Eri urged the civil society in Kogi State.
Stakeholders called for increase tenure of local government council chairmen, disability inclusion, credible electoral process, protection of electoral Independence of the State electoral Commission to bring about a free and fair elections.
A legal practitioner in Kogi State, Barrister Bamidele Suru, who reviewed the new State electoral framework, emphasised the legal implications of infractions of the new electoral law, warning officials of the electoral Commission to detach themselves from likely political influence from within and outside government in order to safeguard its independence.
Suru, who provided insights into the provisions of the State electoral framework, says the State SIEC now is now empowered by law to employ and train its own staff, just as 1 percent of the state revenue and 10 percent of total revenue of local governments must go to State Independent Electoral Commission, at least three months to local government elections, paving the way for increased funding of the State electoral body, among other reforms.
According to Suru, Nigeria’s national electoral act is being reviewed by the national assembly, with proposed amendments to the provisions of Nigeria’s electoral law before conduct of 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
Suru said because Kogi State was the first among States in Nigeria to input the provisions of the national electoral act 2022 into its State electoral law, about ten other states in Nigeria have adopted the ‘Kogi State Electoral law’, having a broader legal force.
Suru, particularly refered to section 202 of the State electoral law, which empowers state Independent Electoral Commission against any form of influence from any person or government agency even though State Governors may still influence their conduct.