Electoral Bodies

Electoral bodies are those who conduct and supervise election process. The constitution has provided for how election should be conducted. The body is called Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The body conducts election into federal and state electoral constituencies. Usually for the conduct of local government elections, the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) is in charge i.e. the state government takes over the conduct of the local government election.

The INEC and SIEC are responsible for the

Conduct of voters’ registration,

Keeping custody of voters registers

Printing of Ballot Papers

Supervision of elections

Declaration of results

When there is an election petition, INEC and SIEC are officials also invited to give evidence and defense at the tribunal.

Assessment

What is the procedure for voting?

When you get to the age of voting (18yrs), are you likely to vote?

AS the Nation prepares for Election, the educational qualifications of candidates contesting the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has generated endless controversies. Two Schools of thought are locked in the controversy. The dominant School of thought has asserted loudly and clearly, that a person is not eligible to contest election to the office of the President unless he/she produces a Secondary School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent. It has been and it is still being contended that candidates must possess/produce educational qualification of at least Secondary School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent in order to be eligible to contest the on coming elections. Section 131 (d)of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) has been cited in support of the contention by proponents of that view to support their position. The said Section provides: “131. A person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if- (d)he has been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent.”

You will find the provisions of the law relating to the National Assembly in Sections 65 – 79 of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution. One is qualified for election as a member of the Senate, if he/she is a citizen of Nigeria; has attained the age of 35 years; has been educated up to at least School Certificate level; is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that party. It’s pretty much the same qualifications for contesting in the House of Representatives, except that one must have attained the age of 30 years to be qualified to be a member of the House of Representatives.

Furthermore, the following Persons are disqualified from being members of the National Assembly;

persons who have voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country;

is a lunatic;

is under a death sentence;

has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty in 10 years preceding the election or breaching the code of conduct;

is an undischarged bankrupt; has been indicted of embezzlement or fraud; is a member of a secret society; or has forged a certificate to INEC .

For the purpose of Senatorial elections, INEC shall divide each state into 3 senatorial districts and 360 federal constituencies in respect of elections into the House of Representatives. INEC is charged with appointing the date for the elections and every Nigerian who has attained the age of eighteen years shall be entitled to be registered as a voter for the election provided that he/she resides in Nigeria at the time of the registration of voters for purposes of the elections.

VOTER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

While the right to vote is one of the most important liberties enjoyed as Nigerians, it is also one of our greatest responsibilities as citizens. We hope you will take the time to familiarize yourself with these important provisions.

VOTER BILL OF RIGHTS

Each registered voter in this state has the right to:

Vote and have his or her vote accurately counted.

Cast a vote if he or she is in line at the official closing of the polls in that county.

Ask for and receive assistance in voting.

Receive up to two replacement ballots if he or she makes a mistake prior to the ballot being cast.

An explanation if his or her registration or identity is in question.

If his or her registration or identity is in question, cast a provisional ballot.

Written instructions to use when voting, and, upon request, oral instructions in voting from elections officers.

Vote free from coercion or intimidation by elections officers or any other person.

Vote on a voting system that is in working condition and that will allow votes to be accurately cast.

VOTER RESPONSIBILITIES

Each registered voter in this state should:

Familiarize himself or herself with the candidates and issues.

Maintain with the office of the supervisor of elections a current address.

Know the location of his or her polling place and its hours of operation.

Bring proper identification to the polling station.

Familiarize himself or herself with the operation of the voting equipment in his or her precinct.

Treat precinct workers with courtesy.

Respect the privacy of other voters.

Report any problems or violations of election laws to the supervisor of elections.

Ask questions, if needed.

Make sure that his or her completed ballot is correct before leaving the polling station.

Assessment

Identify five responsibilities of a voter.

List five rights of a voter.