The Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA Resource Centre, on Wednesday launched its Leadership Approval Rating, LAR, with its focus on the State Independent Electoral Commissions institutions responsible for the independence and integrity of grassroot elections.
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‎This year’s LAR themed, “From Apathy to Action: A Reform Blueprint for SIECs and Community Level Democracy,” focuses on the credibility of SIECs in conducting free and fair elections void of influences from INEC and the control of state governors.
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‎According to HEDA, data collected from over 1,423 respondents across the 36 states and the FCT, “reflects a nation that is frustrated, though not hopeless,” due to public perception and ratings of the statutory body.
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‎It said that while 87% of the respondents acknowledged SIECs as the statutory body responsible for local government elections, only 45% of them believe that the commission was truly independent, and more alarming was that just 41% trusted the electoral body to deliver free and fair elections at grassroot levels.
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‎It noted, “These numbers reveal critical trust deficit as previous LAR editions have shown, where independence and transparency are in doubt, legitimacy quickly collapses.‎ It is not merely a matter of perception — it has tangible consequences: public apathy, poor governance, and a democracy hijacked by vested interests rather than steered by the people.”
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‎HEDA Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, while addressing the theme said that the people’s demand was clear, highlighting a genuine autonomy for SIECs.
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‎He said, “Their demands are clear, a genuine autonomy for SIECs. Deployment of tamper-proof digital systems for result collation and transmission; targeted grassroots voter education to reduce manipulation and apathy; and robust accountability mechanisms, including strict sanctions for electoral malpractice. Some respondents have even proposed the abolishing of SIECs and transferring their functions to INEC due lack of credibility and susceptibility to political control of the state governments”
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‎He also urged the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, in the upcoming election scheduled for July 12, 2025, to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and commit fully to its statutory responsibility without bias or interference, particularly given the political dynamics in Lagos State.
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‎”HEDA Resource Centre calls on LASIEC to rise above public skepticism and deliver a process that is free, fair, and credible.” he said.
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‎SIECs have faced criticism over the years for numerous reasons including, lack of independence, as many are heavily influenced by the ruling party of the state. Poor electoral credibility, with numerous cases of widespread rigging and predetermined outcomes. Legal and constitutional weakness and public distrust and apathy.