A civil society organisation, YIAGA Africa, has urged the strengthening of State Independent Electoral Commissions to minimise the influence of state governments in their operations.

Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, said on Saturday in Abuja that the move would contribute to credible local government elections.

Mr Itodo said this would also ensure that the dominance of ruling parties at the state level during local government elections was drastically reduced.

“This will strengthen SIECs’ independence and liberate them from the stranglehold of governors and safeguard their operational autonomy. Its financial autonomy should be guaranteed by funding it on first-line charge. Financing SIECs should be from the state’s Consolidated Revenue. By incorporating this provision, the financial independence of SIECs will be safeguarded. It will ensure that their functions are free from undue political influence. Alternatively, local governments may, through legislation, contribute five per cent of their allocation to SIECs,” Mr Itodo said.

Mr Itodo also said the mode of appointments into SIECs should be reviewed.

He said the power to appoint the chairman and members of SIECs should be divested from the governors.

He said, “Where a vacancy arises in the SIEC, the state assembly should set up an independent committee to handle nominations. The committee issues a widely publicised call for nominations. Interview panel: shortlisted candidates undergo an interview to assess competence, character, and suitability for appointment to the SIEC. The state assembly shall consider the interview panel report and public petitions. A two-thirds majority resolution by the state assembly is required to recommend a candidate to the governor for appointment.”

He further called for the amendment of the constitution to introduce specific timelines for appointing members SIEC members

“This will prevent unwarranted delays in constituting the commission’s board, ensuring that SIECs can function effectively and without interruption. Also the tenure of local government councils should be prescribed in the constitution. This will guarantee the conduct of regular elections and put an end to the loophole exploited to justify the appointment of caretaker committees or dissolution of local government councils,” Mr Itodo said.

(NAN)