FOSIECON Demands Full Autonomy for State Electoral Commissions, Rejects Abolition Calls

The Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) has called for the full financial autonomy of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), stressing that such a move is critical to conducting credible and transparent local government elections across the country.

This was part of key resolutions contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 13th National Delegates’ Conference (NDC) of the Forum, held in Jos, Plateau State, from May 20–25, 2025.

The communiqué, jointly signed by FOSIECON National Chairman, Barr. Jossy Eze, and National Secretary, Associate Professor Joseph Aremo, also urged SIECs to undertake regular public engagements across the 768 local government areas to tackle misinformation and improve public confidence in the electoral process.

“Improved autonomy is the foundation for restoring public trust in the conduct of local government elections,” the communiqué stated.

Eze emphasized that enhanced financial and operational independence would allow SIECs to carry out their constitutional mandates more effectively.

The Forum also stressed the need for broader democratic participation and accountability. It urged political parties to adopt transparent internal mechanisms that support the emergence of leaders with “proven integrity” and called on citizens to actively monitor their elected representatives.

“Political parties, as the only platforms for nominating candidates, must evolve mechanisms that promote credible leadership,” the Forum said.

As part of its reform proposals, FOSIECON recommended extending legal and institutional frameworks that currently strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to state electoral bodies. It said such measures would enhance the effectiveness and standardization of SIEC operations nationwide.

On legislative action, the Forum called on State Houses of Assembly to adopt key provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 governing Area Council elections, arguing that this would ensure uniformity, legal clarity, and credibility in the administration of local polls.

The communiqué also stressed the importance of grassroots civic education and voter mobilisation. FOSIECON encouraged deeper collaboration between SIECs, civil society organisations, and development partners to improve civic engagement.

“All politics is local,” it noted, “and it is essential that SIECs become not just administrators of elections but champions of civic competence.”

Firmly rejecting calls for the abolition of SIECs, the Forum described such proposals as “mischievous and anti-federalist”, reaffirming that SIECs are constitutionally protected and essential to Nigeria’s democratic structure.

This position was strongly backed by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, who both attended the conference as special guests and expressed support for empowering SIECs.

Themed ‘Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities’, the conference drew participants from all 36 states, including electoral commissioners, civil society groups, academics, and representatives from INEC, the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).