The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to create the National Local Government Electoral Commission, an independent body responsible for organizing and overseeing elections for local government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councilors across Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, was presented on the House floor by the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, during Tuesday’s legislative session.
If enacted, the commission will be mandated to ensure free, fair, and transparent local government elections while promoting grassroots democracy.
According to the bill’s provisions, NALGEC will be composed of a Chairman and 37 members representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Chairman, who will serve as the Chief Electoral Officer, along with other board members, will be appointed by the President based on recommendations from the National Council of State, subject to Senate confirmation.
“The Commission shall provide periodic reports on its activities and the outcomes of local government elections to the President, the National Assembly, and the general public, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in its operations,” the bill stated.
It also seeks to amend Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution to empower the commission to regulate political parties and their candidates during local government elections.
The proposed electoral body will be tasked with setting election timetables, managing polling processes, overseeing voter registration, and maintaining an updated voter register.
Additionally, it will regulate and monitor political parties, ensuring compliance with electoral laws, campaign finance regulations, and other guidelines.
“The Commission will also design and implement voter education programs to inform the public about the importance of local government elections, their roles as voters, and the electoral process, thereby reducing voter apathy,” the bill added.
Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the Secretary of the Commission’s board will be appointed by the President upon the board’s recommendation. The individual must be a legal practitioner with at least 10 years of experience.
In a related development, the House passed for second reading another bill, also sponsored by Kalu, seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to specify a timeframe within which the executive must present treaties between Nigeria and other countries to the National Assembly for ratification.
The bill proposes that all treaties signed by Nigeria must be submitted to the legislature within 180 days for enactment.
