Electoral Bodies In Nigeria

INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC)

The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the main agent of democracy in Nigeria.  INEC is a permanent body created by the constitution to organize Federal, state and Local Government council elections in Nigeria.

Functions of Electoral Commission

1. They educate Nigerian citizens about democracy and election process in Nigeria
2. Registration of voters and party candidates: They organize how voters are registered before elections.  It also provides registers for candidates contesting for various political positions under various political parties e.g APC, PDP etc.
3. Delimitation of constituency: They demarcate constituency boundaries for elections into Houses of Assembly, Representatives and that of the Senate.
4. They control political parties Electoral commissions monitor the activities of political parties in Nigerian.
5. They promote Democracy: They promote an enduring democratic culture in Nigeria through transparency.

State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC)

Following the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the state Independent Electoral commission has power to

1. Organize, undertake and supervise all elections to local Government within a state.
2. Advise INEC on the compilation and Register of voters for Local Government election.

The SIEC has its own chairman and seven other persons that are normally appointed by INEC

Evaluation

See your work book for exercise.