The electoral commission is a body set up by law to organise and manage elections in a country.
It plays an important role in a democracy by making sure that elections are free, fair, and transparent. This helps people trust the government and promotes peace in society.
In Nigeria, the main electoral body is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which handles elections at the federal, state, and local levels. Learning about INEC helps us understand how our leaders are chosen and how democracy works in Nigeria.
Table of Contents
Meaning Of Electoral Commission
An electoral commission is an independent body formed by the constitution or law to plan and conduct elections. Its main duty is to ensure that elections are fair, peaceful, and well-organised, and help citizens choose their leaders without fear or cheating.
In Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts national elections such as presidential, governorship, and national/state assembly elections. At the state level, State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) conduct local government elections.
Functions/Duties of the Electoral Commission (INEC)
The main roles of INEC in Nigeria include:
1. Conducting And Supervising Elections
INEC is constitutionally empowered to organise and supervise elections for the offices of the President, Governors, National Assembly, State Assemblies, and Local Government Councils.
2. Registration Of Political Parties
INEC registers political parties that meet the laid-down criteria and has the power to deregister parties that fail to meet performance or administrative standards.
3. Monitoring Political Campaigns
The Commission monitors political parties to ensure that campaigns are free of hate speech, violence, and that they conform to electoral laws.
4. Registration Of Voters
The Commission registers eligible Nigerian citizens who are 18 years and above and ensures the voters’ register is accurate and updated.
5. Voter And Civic Education
INEC educates the public about their voting rights, the importance of elections, and the procedures involved to increase voter turnout and reduce invalid votes.
6. Provision And Distribution Of Electoral Materials
This includes preparing and distributing sensitive and non-sensitive materials such as ballot papers, result sheets, and biometric machines.
7. Announcing Election Results
INEC is solely responsible for collating and announcing results. It provides final figures at all levels of the election.
8. Enforcing Electoral Laws And Regulations
The Commission ensures adherence to electoral guidelines and has the authority to recommend legal action against violators.
9. Setting Election Timetables
INEC determines the timetable for the conduct of elections, including dates for party primaries, campaigns, and voting.
10. Managing Political Party Finances
The Commission monitors the finances and sources of funding of political parties to ensure transparency and accountability.
Electoral Officials
Electoral officials are appointed by the electoral commission to assist in the conduct and management of elections. In Nigeria, INEC employs both permanent and temporary (ad-hoc) staff. These officials include:
1. Returning Officers (ROs)
Appointed to declare election results at various levels. They work mainly at collation centres and announce the winners based on the collated results.
2. Presiding Officers (POs)
These officials oversee the entire voting process at a polling unit, ensure that voters are properly accredited, and manage the actual voting procedure.
3. Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs)
They support the Presiding Officer by handling voter accreditation, checking voter cards, and assisting with the biometric verification process.
4. Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs)
These officials supervise multiple polling units and report to INEC on issues like logistics, security, and staff performance.
5. Collation Officers (COs)
They are responsible for receiving results from polling units and compiling them at ward, local government, state, or federal levels.
6. Ad-hoc Staff
These are temporary staff members, mostly recruited from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), tertiary institutions, or qualified citizens to support election operations.
7. Security Personnel
Police and other security forces are deployed to maintain law and order during elections, protect electoral materials, and prevent electoral violence.
8. ICT And Technical Officers
These are trained personnel who handle the operation of electronic voting systems, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and ensure the secure transmission of results to INEC’s central database.
9. Logistics Officers
They are responsible for the distribution and retrieval of electoral materials.
Problems Facing the Electoral Commission
INEC faces many challenges in doing its work, some of which include:
1. Lack Of Funds
Sometimes there isn’t enough money to conduct elections properly.
2. Political Pressure
Politicians may try to influence INEC’s decisions unfairly.
3. Violence And Insecurity
Fighting at polling units or attacks on INEC offices can disturb elections.
4. Poor Roads And Transport
Bad roads make it hard to move materials to remote areas on time.
5. Technology Problems
Voting machines may fail, especially in places without good network or electricity.
6. Fake News
False information on social media and from some religious organisations can confuse or scare voters.
7. Low Voter Turnout (Apathy)
Some people don’t vote because they don’t trust the system or think their votes don’t count.
8. Untrained Workers
Not all temporary staff are trained well, which can lead to mistakes.
9. Court Cases
Disagreements after elections lead to many legal battles that can cause delays and tension.
10. Inadequate Security
There aren’t always enough officers to protect all polling units, especially in dangerous or very remote areas.
Importance Of the Electoral Commission
The electoral commission is important because:
1. It Supports Democracy
It helps people choose their leaders in a free and fair way.
2. It Promotes Peace
Proper elections prevent violence and allow peaceful changes in leadership.
3. It Increases Political Participation
When people trust INEC, they are more likely to vote.
Qualities Of a Good Electoral Commission
For an electoral commission to work well, it must have the following qualities:
1. Independence
It should be totally free from government, political party, on influencial individuals or groups control.
2. Honesty
It must be truthful and fair in all its actions or inactions towards all parties, especially, the people.
3. Transparency
The public should clearly see how decisions are made. To promote trust in the system, decisions should be publicised according to its laws.
4. Fairness
It must treat all political parties and candidates equally without favouritism.
5. Competence
Staff should be skilled and well-trained to handle elections and electoral processes without any problems.
6. Accountability
It should be answerable to the public and follow the law on every process, stage or outcome.
7. Adequate Funding
It should have enough money to carry out elections properly. This funding should not come from any political parties, individuals or groups.
8. Good Communication
It should provide timely information to the public and political parties.
9. Use Of Technology
It should use reliable and up-to-date technology to improve the voting process.
10. Strong Leadership
Leaders of the commission must be courageous, wise, unbiased and patriotic. Without any political lineage, history, or affiliation to any political party or group.
How To Improve the Electoral Process in Nigeria
There are several ways Nigeria can improve elections:
1. Ensure Independence
Electoral bodies must be free from political influence.
2. Provide Adequate Funding
Government should release funds early for better planning.
3. Use Technology Effectively
Improve the use of electronic voting and result transmission.
4. Educate Voters
Teach more people about voting and their rights.
5. Train Electoral Officers
All workers should be trained well before elections.
6. Fight Electoral Violence
Security must be improved to protect voters and officials.
7. Punish Electoral Offenders
People who cheat or cause problems should face the law.
8. Encourage Voter Participation
Make it easier for people to register and vote.
9. Strengthen The Judiciary
Courts should settle election cases fairly and quickly.
10. Promote Transparency
All stages of elections should be open and clear to the public.
Possible Assessment Questions and Answers
Objective Questions
1. What is the full meaning of INEC?
A. International Election Committee
B. Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission
C. Independent National Electoral Commission
D. Internal National Electoral Council
E. Independent Nigerian Election Council
Answer: C
2. Who announces results at polling units?
A. INEC Chairman
B. Returning Officer
C. Presiding Officer
D. Voter
E. Security Officer
Answer: B
3. Which of these is NOT a function of INEC?
A. Organizing elections
B. Registering voters
C. Teaching in schools
D. Monitoring campaigns
E. Announcing results
Answer: C
4. What is the main electoral body in Nigeria?
A. SIEC
B. ICPC
C. EFCC
D. INEC
E. NAEC
Answer: D
5. Who helps the Presiding Officer at the polling unit?
A. Police Officer
B. Assistant Presiding Officer
C. Voter
D. Judge
E. Soldier
Answer: B
6. What is a major problem INEC faces during elections?
A. Too many voters
B. Free education
C. Lack of electricity
D. Insecurity and violence
E. Clean environment
Answer: D
7. Which group is in charge of local government elections?
A. EFCC
B. SIEC
C. INEC
D. Army
E. NLC
Answer: B
8. What is one quality of a good electoral commission?
A. Dishonesty
B. Transparency
C. Delay
D. Confusion
E. Corruption
Answer: B
9. How can elections be improved in Nigeria?
A. Ignore court cases
B. Encourage violence
C. Train electoral officers
D. Allow fake results
E. Reduce security
Answer: C
10. Who protects voters and electoral materials?
A. INEC Chairman
B. Collation Officers
C. Teachers
D. Security Personnel
E. Drivers
Answer: D
Theoretical Questions
1. Define an electoral commission and give two examples in Nigeria.
Answer: An electoral commission is a body that organizes and conducts elections. Examples in Nigeria are INEC and SIEC.
2. List five functions of INEC.
Answer:
- Organizes and conducts elections
- Registers voters and political parties
- Educates voters
- Announces election results
- Monitors political campaigns
3. Mention four electoral officials and their roles.
Answer:
- Presiding Officer: Manages the polling unit
- Assistant Presiding Officer: Assists the Presiding Officer
- Returning Officer: Announces results
- Security Personnel: Protects voters and materials
4. State five problems facing the electoral commission in Nigeria.
Answer:
- Insecurity
- Lack of funds
- Political interference
- Poor road network
- Low voter turnout
5. List any three ways to improve elections in Nigeria.
Answer:
- Provide enough funds for elections
- Train electoral officials
- Use modern technology to reduce errors and cheating
Read also: Elections and the Electoral Process: Building Democratic Governance in Nigeria
