The House of Representatives has initiated steps to strip State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) of the authority to conduct local government elections in Nigeria. A bill aimed at amending the Electoral Act, 2022, which would grant the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) exclusive control over local government council elections, was introduced last Thursday.

The bill, 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,” passed its first reading on the floor of the House. The bill, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere, the representative for Ideato North/Ideato South in Imo State, alongside 24 other lawmakers, seeks to replace Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act.

Currently, Section 98(1) gives SIECs the responsibility for the conduct of local government elections. The proposed amendment would transfer this responsibility entirely to INEC. Specifically, the new sub-section in 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.”

This move follows a growing call from prominent groups and Nigerian lawmakers, who argue that state governors wield undue influence over local governments, undermining the autonomy and credibility of local elections. INEC has expressed readiness to take on this expanded role, citing its capability to conduct elections beyond just national and state levels.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, speaking before a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters in July 2024, affirmed that the commission could handle local government elections if the law is amended. He pointed out that INEC already conducts local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory and could extend this responsibility nationwide once authorized by the National Assembly.

Yakubu further emphasized that, while the Constitution initially gave the power to state-level commissions, INEC is prepared and equipped to manage all levels of elections once the legal framework is adjusted.

The proposed amendment has sparked discussions across the country, with proponents arguing that transferring local elections to INEC will reduce political interference from state governors, ensuring more credible and independent local elections. However, this move faces opposition from those who argue that local electoral processes should remain under state control.