Forum wants transparent mechanisms for direct funding to LGAs

The Twelfth Technical Session of the Electoral Forum has called for implementation of transparent mechanisms for direct funding to Local Government Areas (LGAs) to enhance local governance and development.

The Chairman of the Forum, Professor Adebayo Olukoshi, noted this at the Twelfth Technical Session of The Electoral Forum held via Zoom, recently.

The meeting focused on pressing issues in electoral governance, particularly in light of the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

He said there is need to strengthen the independence and capacity of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) through legislative reforms and standardized operational guidelines.

The Forum also called for a establish a formal framework for collaboration between INEC and SIECs to improve the quality of local elections.

The Forum highlighted the need for INEC to provide guidance and support to SIECs to improve the quality of local elections. Judicial reform emerged as a critical area of concern.

The Forum welcomes the new leadership in the Supreme Court and calls for merit-based appointments, enhanced judicial independence, and the development of clear guidelines for adjudicating electoral disputes.

According to the forum, the current electoral system was critically examined, with suggestions for reforms including a possible shift to a mixed electoral system and broadening the scope of acceptable voter identification methods.

The Forum noted with concern the persistent challenges in the electoral process, including violations of electoral guidelines and issues with result collation and announcement.

He said the role of civil society in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy was emphasized, with encouragement for increased civic education and more robust oversight of electoral processes at all levels and also the need to form the judicial system with emphasis on merit-based appointments and clear timelines for resolving electoral disputes.

The Forum was chaired by Professor Bayo Olukoshi Other members of the Forum include Professor Attahiru Jega, former INEC Chairman and Okechukwu Ibeanu, Hajiya Amina Zakari, and Professor Anthonia Simbine, former INEC National Commissioners.

The Forum has been supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and MacArthur Foundation.