Senate Proposes Commission For LG Polls

The Senate has proposed a bill seeking the establishment of a federal agency for the conduct of local government elections.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), and titled, 'Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 531)'.

The bill which passed the first reading at plenary on Thursday is coming barely a week after the Supreme Court granted autonomy to local government administration in the country.

Part of the draft bill read, “To establish the National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission responsible for conducting elections to the office of the local government chairman and councillors, and any other matter thereof to do with local government as a third tier of government.

“The National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission is hereby established as an autonomous body mandated to organise, oversee, and conduct elections for the offices of local government chairman and councillors across all states.”

The proposed legislation listed the functions and powers of NILGEC to include the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections for local government chairmen and councillors.

Other functions are: “To prepare and maintain an accurate and up-to-date voter register. To ensure voter education and public awareness regarding the electoral process.

“To set and enforce electoral guidelines and regulations for Local Government elections. To recruit and train electoral officers and staff for efficient election management.

“To monitor and supervise all electoral activities and processes and to investigate and adjudicate electoral disputes and grievances.”
The bill indicated that NILGEC would consist of a chairperson and six commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

It read, “The Chairperson and Commissioners shall serve for a term of five years, renewable once. The commission shall have its own budget approved by the National Assembly to ensure financial independence.

“Offenders shall be prosecuted and punished in accordance with the laws of the land."