Re: LGA Autonomy: Let Local Governments Conduct Their Elections
Updated on : Friday, 20 December, 2024
Released on: Sunday, 01 December, 2024
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Re: LGA Autonomy: Let Local Governments Conduct Their Elections
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The debate over who should oversee local government elections in Nigeria highlights the relationship between local governments and central authority. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manages federal and state elections, local government elections are currently conducted by state electoral commissions, except in the Federal Capital Territory, where INEC oversees them. Following the 2024 Supreme Court ruling granting Local Government Areas (LGAs) financial autonomy, there are growing calls for a shift in electoral management to enhance fairness and accountability.
THE ARGUMENT FOR LOCAL AUTONOMY IN ELECTIONS
RIGGING AGAINST FAIR COMPETITION
Over the past two decades, LGA elections conducted by Nigeria''s State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) have faced widespread criticism for systemic flaws. These challenges have not only undermined the credibility of local elections but have also deterred high-capacity candidates and reduced public interest in local governance. As highlighted by Schedler (2002), state-controlled local elections often serve as tools for political manipulation, undermining democratic ideals. SIEC elections are often perceived as tools for entrenching the dominance of the political party supported by the sitting governor. In many states, the ruling party consistently sweeps all available seats during local government elections, raising concerns about transparency and fairness. Opposition parties are marginalized during the electoral process, with some candidates alleging outright manipulation or exclusion.
LOCALISED SOLUTIONS FOR LOCAL REALITIES
Elections are inherently local processes. Nigeria''s 774 LGAs each face unique challenges shaped by distinct cultural, social, and economic dynamics. Allowing local governments to manage their elections would fosters electoral systems that are responsive to these needs. Localised control would empower LGAs to design electoral processes that reflect their unique realities. This position was also argued by Cheema and Rondinelli (2007) that decentralization allows for governance structures that align more closely with local dynamics, a critical factor for Nigeria's diverse LGAs.
Rather than taking over conducting LGA elections from the state governments, INEC could take on a supervisory role, establishing standards and best practices for local governments to follow. This approach balances local autonomy with national oversight, ensuring elections are both fair and regionally appropriate.
INCREASING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND OWNERSHIP
Granting LGAs authority over elections can deepen public connection to democracy. When voters see elections as directly relevant to their communities, participation and transparency improve. Countries like the United States demonstrate the benefits of decentralisation, where county-level election boards manage electoral processes, allowing for customisation that resonates with local concerns. Empowering LGAs to manage elections could replicate this success in Nigeria, creating a more transparent and accountable democratic system.
STRENGTHENING GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY
Decentralised election management can rejuvenate grassroots political participation. Many Nigerians feel disconnected from the national political process due to a lack of influence over local governance. By empowering LGAs to manage elections, democracy becomes more accessible and relevant. Countries like Germany illustrate how local control over elections can strengthen civic engagement and foster trust between citizens and their governments. Nigeria could similarly cultivate vibrant local democracies by allowing LGAs to oversee their elections.
SECURITY AND GOVERNANCE BENEFITS OF DECENTRALISED ELECTIONS
ENHANCING LOCAL LEADERS LEGITIMACY
The rise of insurgency, communal violence, restiveness and clamour for segregation in parts of Nigeria can be linked to inadequate governance and a lack of responsive leadership. Local governments struggle to address these issues because they lack both authority and legitimacy. Allowing LGAs to conduct their elections would confer greater legitimacy upon local leaders, empowering them to address security challenges and implement tailored solutions effectively.
Localised electoral control can also improve cooperation between citizens and authorities. When communities trust their local governments, they are more likely to support initiatives that enhance security and stability.
ADDRESSING LOCALISED SECURITY CHALLENGES
Local leaders are better positioned to understand and address the specific security issues within their jurisdictions. Whether dealing with inter-communal conflicts, youth violence, or insurgency, local governments with electoral legitimacy are more likely to implement effective strategies. Decentralised election management could also strengthen community policing and other grassroots security initiatives.
PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION AND POLITICAL AWARENESS
Taking control of their electoral processes will offer local governments a platform to educate citizens about democracy. Local elections provide opportunities to teach voters about the importance of their participation and the role of elected officials. This civic education fosters greater awareness of self-governance, reduces voter apathy, and encourages higher political participation in future elections.
LEARNING FROM GLOBAL DECENTRALISATION MODELS
Several countries successfully implement decentralised electoral systems, providing valuable lessons for Nigeria:
UNITED STATES: County election boards handle elections under state and federal guidelines, ensuring customisation while maintaining national standards.
CANADA: Provincial commissions manage provincial elections, while municipal authorities conduct local elections.
UNITED KINGDOM: Local councils administer elections with oversight from the Electoral Commission, ensuring fairness and transparency.
These examples demonstrate that decentralisation can strengthen democracy while ensuring electoral consistency through strong oversight frameworks.
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
ENSURING CONSISTENCY AND INTEGRITY
A major concern with decentralising elections is the potential for inconsistent standards across LGAs. Elklit and Reynolds (2002) emphasised the importance of a strong supervisory framework to maintain the integrity of decentralized elections. Without uniform guidelines, variations in electoral quality could erode public confidence in the system. This challenge can be addressed by assigning INEC a supervisory role. By setting clear guidelines and monitoring elections, INEC can ensure fairness while allowing LGAs to tailor processes to local needs.
BUILDING CAPACITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Some LGAs may lack the infrastructure, expertise, or resources to conduct elections effectively. To mitigate this, INEC can provide technical support, training, and resources to build capacity at the local level. Such assistance would enable LGAs to conduct elections that meet national standards while reflecting local realities.
LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Implementing this model may require amendments to Nigeria''s Electoral Act to formalize INEC''s oversight role and define its relationship with LGAs. These legal adjustments would provide the framework needed to ensure a smooth transition to decentralised electoral management.
THE ROLE OF INEC IN LGA ELECTIONS
While allowing LGAs to conduct their elections is crucial, the role of a national electoral body remains important. INEC''s supervisory function will include the following among others:
Establishing standards and best practices for electoral management.
Monitoring compliance to ensure transparency and fairness.
Providing training and technical support to LGAs.
Countries like the United Kingdom offer a model for this approach, where the Electoral Commission sets broad guidelines, and local authorities manage elections. INEC''s existing experience in monitoring political party primaries positions it well to take on this oversight role without directly administering local elections.
NO TO ANOTHER ELECTORAL COMMISSION
The call for supervisory role for INEC should not be taken as opportunity to create another electoral commission for the LGA election management. Doing so will only create more confusion and imbalance in the election management and administration as a whole.
BROADER IMPLICATIONS FOR DEMOCRACY AND STABILITY
Allowing LGAs to conduct their elections can strengthen Nigerian democracy by:
Increasing voter engagement and accountability at the grassroots level.
Enhancing citizens'' perception of self-governance and reducing political alienation.
Addressing governance gaps that fuel insecurity and agitation.
By fostering trust between citizens and their leaders, LGAs conducting their elections can reduce political instability and strengthen social cohesion.
CONCLUSION
Allowing LGAs to conduct their elections represents a pivotal step toward deepening democracy and improving governance in Nigeria. Local governments are better equipped to design electoral processes that resonate with their communities, while INEC can ensure fairness and consistency through oversight. Adopting this model would empower local governments, enhance citizen participation, and address pressing governance challenges.
Decentralising electoral management is not without challenges, but these can be mitigated through legal reforms, capacity building, and robust oversight mechanisms. Ultimately, empowering LGAs to conduct their elections could transform Nigeria''s political landscape, fostering a more responsive and accountable democracy that addresses the needs of all citizens.
REFERENCES
1. Cheema, G. S., & Rondinelli, D. A. (2007). "Decentralizing Governance: Emerging Concepts and Practices." Brookings Institution Press.
2. Elklit, J., & Reynolds, A. (2002). "The Impact of Election Administration on the Legitimacy of Emerging Democracies: A New Comparative Politics Research
Agenda." Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 40(2), 86–119.
3. Schedler, A. (2002). " Elections Without Democracy: The Menu of Manipulation." Journal of Democracy, 13(2), 36–50.
Thank you and God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Yours sincerely,
@SonnyAdenuga
The BOOT Party is a cooperative-like political leadership system.
@TheBOOTParty
Send Feedback
WhatsApp: +234-705-774-9595
Signing up is free.
Join BOOT Party and Get Involved!
Download BOOT Party App to
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Donate Because Nigeria Matters
Re: LGA Autonomy: Let Local Governments Conduct Their Elections
Updated on : Friday, 20 December, 2024
Released on: Sunday, 01 December, 2024
Read (246) |
Join BOOT Party
Re: LGA Autonomy: Let Local Governments Conduct Their Elections
Tweet #VoteBOOTParty
The debate over who should oversee local government elections in Nigeria highlights the relationship between local governments and central authority. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manages federal and state elections, local government elections are currently conducted by state electoral commissions, except in the Federal Capital Territory, where INEC oversees them. Following the 2024 Supreme Court ruling granting Local Government Areas (LGAs) financial autonomy, there are growing calls for a shift in electoral management to enhance fairness and accountability.
THE ARGUMENT FOR LOCAL AUTONOMY IN ELECTIONS
RIGGING AGAINST FAIR COMPETITION
Over the past two decades, LGA elections conducted by Nigeria''s State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) have faced widespread criticism for systemic flaws. These challenges have not only undermined the credibility of local elections but have also deterred high-capacity candidates and reduced public interest in local governance. As highlighted by Schedler (2002), state-controlled local elections often serve as tools for political manipulation, undermining democratic ideals. SIEC elections are often perceived as tools for entrenching the dominance of the political party supported by the sitting governor. In many states, the ruling party consistently sweeps all available seats during local government elections, raising concerns about transparency and fairness. Opposition parties are marginalized during the electoral process, with some candidates alleging outright manipulation or exclusion.
LOCALISED SOLUTIONS FOR LOCAL REALITIES
Elections are inherently local processes. Nigeria''s 774 LGAs each face unique challenges shaped by distinct cultural, social, and economic dynamics. Allowing local governments to manage their elections would fosters electoral systems that are responsive to these needs. Localised control would empower LGAs to design electoral processes that reflect their unique realities. This position was also argued by Cheema and Rondinelli (2007) that decentralization allows for governance structures that align more closely with local dynamics, a critical factor for Nigeria's diverse LGAs.
Rather than taking over conducting LGA elections from the state governments, INEC could take on a supervisory role, establishing standards and best practices for local governments to follow. This approach balances local autonomy with national oversight, ensuring elections are both fair and regionally appropriate.
INCREASING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND OWNERSHIP
Granting LGAs authority over elections can deepen public connection to democracy. When voters see elections as directly relevant to their communities, participation and transparency improve. Countries like the United States demonstrate the benefits of decentralisation, where county-level election boards manage electoral processes, allowing for customisation that resonates with local concerns. Empowering LGAs to manage elections could replicate this success in Nigeria, creating a more transparent and accountable democratic system.
STRENGTHENING GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY
Decentralised election management can rejuvenate grassroots political participation. Many Nigerians feel disconnected from the national political process due to a lack of influence over local governance. By empowering LGAs to manage elections, democracy becomes more accessible and relevant. Countries like Germany illustrate how local control over elections can strengthen civic engagement and foster trust between citizens and their governments. Nigeria could similarly cultivate vibrant local democracies by allowing LGAs to oversee their elections.
SECURITY AND GOVERNANCE BENEFITS OF DECENTRALISED ELECTIONS
ENHANCING LOCAL LEADERS LEGITIMACY
The rise of insurgency, communal violence, restiveness and clamour for segregation in parts of Nigeria can be linked to inadequate governance and a lack of responsive leadership. Local governments struggle to address these issues because they lack both authority and legitimacy. Allowing LGAs to conduct their elections would confer greater legitimacy upon local leaders, empowering them to address security challenges and implement tailored solutions effectively.
Localised electoral control can also improve cooperation between citizens and authorities. When communities trust their local governments, they are more likely to support initiatives that enhance security and stability.
ADDRESSING LOCALISED SECURITY CHALLENGES
Local leaders are better positioned to understand and address the specific security issues within their jurisdictions. Whether dealing with inter-communal conflicts, youth violence, or insurgency, local governments with electoral legitimacy are more likely to implement effective strategies. Decentralised election management could also strengthen community policing and other grassroots security initiatives.
PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION AND POLITICAL AWARENESS
Taking control of their electoral processes will offer local governments a platform to educate citizens about democracy. Local elections provide opportunities to teach voters about the importance of their participation and the role of elected officials. This civic education fosters greater awareness of self-governance, reduces voter apathy, and encourages higher political participation in future elections.
LEARNING FROM GLOBAL DECENTRALISATION MODELS
Several countries successfully implement decentralised electoral systems, providing valuable lessons for Nigeria:
UNITED STATES: County election boards handle elections under state and federal guidelines, ensuring customisation while maintaining national standards.
CANADA: Provincial commissions manage provincial elections, while municipal authorities conduct local elections.
UNITED KINGDOM: Local councils administer elections with oversight from the Electoral Commission, ensuring fairness and transparency.
These examples demonstrate that decentralisation can strengthen democracy while ensuring electoral consistency through strong oversight frameworks.
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
ENSURING CONSISTENCY AND INTEGRITY
A major concern with decentralising elections is the potential for inconsistent standards across LGAs. Elklit and Reynolds (2002) emphasised the importance of a strong supervisory framework to maintain the integrity of decentralized elections. Without uniform guidelines, variations in electoral quality could erode public confidence in the system. This challenge can be addressed by assigning INEC a supervisory role. By setting clear guidelines and monitoring elections, INEC can ensure fairness while allowing LGAs to tailor processes to local needs.
BUILDING CAPACITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Some LGAs may lack the infrastructure, expertise, or resources to conduct elections effectively. To mitigate this, INEC can provide technical support, training, and resources to build capacity at the local level. Such assistance would enable LGAs to conduct elections that meet national standards while reflecting local realities.
LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Implementing this model may require amendments to Nigeria''s Electoral Act to formalize INEC''s oversight role and define its relationship with LGAs. These legal adjustments would provide the framework needed to ensure a smooth transition to decentralised electoral management.
THE ROLE OF INEC IN LGA ELECTIONS
While allowing LGAs to conduct their elections is crucial, the role of a national electoral body remains important. INEC''s supervisory function will include the following among others:
Establishing standards and best practices for electoral management.
Monitoring compliance to ensure transparency and fairness.
Providing training and technical support to LGAs.
Countries like the United Kingdom offer a model for this approach, where the Electoral Commission sets broad guidelines, and local authorities manage elections. INEC''s existing experience in monitoring political party primaries positions it well to take on this oversight role without directly administering local elections.
NO TO ANOTHER ELECTORAL COMMISSION
The call for supervisory role for INEC should not be taken as opportunity to create another electoral commission for the LGA election management. Doing so will only create more confusion and imbalance in the election management and administration as a whole.
BROADER IMPLICATIONS FOR DEMOCRACY AND STABILITY
Allowing LGAs to conduct their elections can strengthen Nigerian democracy by:
Increasing voter engagement and accountability at the grassroots level.
Enhancing citizens'' perception of self-governance and reducing political alienation.
Addressing governance gaps that fuel insecurity and agitation.
By fostering trust between citizens and their leaders, LGAs conducting their elections can reduce political instability and strengthen social cohesion.
CONCLUSION
Allowing LGAs to conduct their elections represents a pivotal step toward deepening democracy and improving governance in Nigeria. Local governments are better equipped to design electoral processes that resonate with their communities, while INEC can ensure fairness and consistency through oversight. Adopting this model would empower local governments, enhance citizen participation, and address pressing governance challenges.
Decentralising electoral management is not without challenges, but these can be mitigated through legal reforms, capacity building, and robust oversight mechanisms. Ultimately, empowering LGAs to conduct their elections could transform Nigeria''s political landscape, fostering a more responsive and accountable democracy that addresses the needs of all citizens.
REFERENCES
1. Cheema, G. S., & Rondinelli, D. A. (2007). "Decentralizing Governance: Emerging Concepts and Practices." Brookings Institution Press.
2. Elklit, J., & Reynolds, A. (2002). "The Impact of Election Administration on the Legitimacy of Emerging Democracies: A New Comparative Politics Research
Agenda." Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 40(2), 86–119.
3. Schedler, A. (2002). " Elections Without Democracy: The Menu of Manipulation." Journal of Democracy, 13(2), 36–50.
Thank you and God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Yours sincerely,
@SonnyAdenuga
The BOOT Party is a cooperative-like political leadership system.
@TheBOOTParty
Send Feedback
WhatsApp: +234-705-774-9595
Signing up is free.
Join BOOT Party and Get Involved!
Download BOOT Party App to
Vote in BOOT Party Election Primaries
Donate Because Nigeria Matters