With Michael Ani at the reins of the Federal Electoral Commission the Commission organized monitored and oversaw the 1979 election which ushered in the Nigeria Second Republic. Elections are also central to the institutionalization of orderly succession in a democratic setting, creating a legal-administrative framework for handling inter-elite rivalries. In most of these cases, a re-run was mandated, which the PDP won. PDF Inec and The Administration of Elections in Nigeria S Fourth Republic The appointment of its political head and commissioners should be insulated from politics, while its funding should be charged to the consolidated account. It argues that elections under the Fourth Republic (19992007) were characterized by ineffective administration at all stages and levels (before, during and after), resulting in damagingly discredited outcomes. 11135. The commission conducted and oversaw the Federal and Western regional elections of 1964 and 1965 respectively. In this way, the EMB can enjoy independent funding, thereby limiting the financial control the executive can exert. See Browne Onuoha, The electoral machine: the bureaucracy and the electoral process in the making of Nigerias Fourth Republic in Lai Olurode and Remi Anifowose (eds. Like most former British colonies, its elections have been managed by a permanent EMB. There is an urgent need to make adequate efforts to reform electoral institutions. [1] [2] History Regulation and administration of elections The dearth of democrats has also contributed to the suffocation and shrinking of the political space in which democratic institutions can operate, including INEC and political parties. International IDEA, Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook (International IDEA, Stockholm, 2006). The former was removed for his uncompromising stance in the management of the Electoral Commission, and the latter following the military governments decision to annul the 12 June 1993 presidential elections contrary to the position of the Commission.31. PDF Electoral Bodies in Nigerian 2. 3. 4. - Fct Emis Notable weaknesses include lack of independence and professionalism, political interference, undemocratic attitudes, and lack of respect for the rule of law. Identification of state electoral bodies in Nigeria 2. Professor Eme Awa resigned from the position of Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria in 1989. In Nigeria, however, elections have been one of the main problems of the democratization process. This shows the firm grip of the retired military officers on Nigerian politics. The countrys struggles for sustainable democracy, good governance, and development have been so daunting that all previous attempts at democratic transition have been futile. The reforms being championed are targeted mainly at securing the institutional autonomy, administrative efficiency, and professionalism of INEC. But under the fledgling Fourth Republic, Nigeria has for the first time in its post-independence experience been able to hold three consecutive elections at regular intervals (1999, 2003, and 2007). Solomon O. Akinboye, Nigerias 1999 multi-party elections: an overview of electoral conduct and results in Olurode and Anifowose (eds. Their roles further include counting of votes the announcement of results provision of ballot boxes and relevant election materials registration of candidates supervision of voting activities declaration of winners in election exercises as well as the issuance and withdrawal of Certificates of Return among other functions as permissible by the Constitution. much more difficult for elections to be stolen through the tabulation He won with a total of 18,738,154 votes (62.78 percent) over Olu Falae, who ran for the APP/AD alliance, with 11,110,287 (37.22 percent).35 The PDP extended its dominance to all other elections at the national, state, and local levels, and in executive and legislative elections. Staffan Lindberg, Democracy and Elections in Africa (Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, OH, 2006); Staffan Lindberg (ed. . In 1978, a new Federal Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): An Instrument of Electoral Confusion and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue IX, September 2020 | ISSN 2454-6186 The high level of instability in the country since independence in 1960 has also contributed to the weak institutionalization of INEC. Since democratic rebirth till date, all the six general elections conducted in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria were monitored by different EMGs. However these electoral bodies did not wholly attain the ideals that they sought to achieve due to challenges like political interference inadequate security electioneering malpractices such as rigging vote-buying and under-age voting as observed in several elections. The 2003 elections, according to reports of local and international observers, were fraught with contradictions, including vote buying, ballot stuffing, rigging, and violence.49 These shortcomings were largely a result of inadequate preparation by INEC, resulting in logistical problems and inefficient officials. These advances, in addition to international support such as election monitoring, are essential for the institutionalization of effective electoral administration for democratic consolidation. What is therefore important is a continuous process of social mobilization and political re-engineering that emphasizes value reorientation at all levels. Agbaje and Adejumobi, Do votes count?, p. 33. After the dismissal of Humphery Nwosu as Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria Okon Uya was appointed in June 1993 to conduct a proposed March 1994 election. ESTABLISHMENTS OF ELECTORAL BODIES IN NIGERIA The Electoral Bodies In Nigeria Have Not Had Historical Consistency In The Country's Democracy, Thus, Such Bodies Had The Experience Of Dissolve And Recreation. Finally, the maladministration of the election has intensified civil activism for electoral reform and pressured the government to grant some limited concessions, including the ongoing electoral reform process. In some extreme instances, voting did not take place.54 This was most prominent in the south-east, south-south and south-western geo-political zones of the country, where opposition parties were believed to be most formidable. The 2002 Electoral Law that governed the elections stipulates that those to be appointed as electoral commissioners must be qualified to be members of the House of Representatives. General Sani Abacha (19938) replaced the NEC with the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON), while General Abdusallami Abukakar, Abachas successor (19989), rechristened it the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).27 It has also been reconstituted endlessly; in 1958, twice in 1963, 1964, 1977, 1981, 1987, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2000, and 2004.28 Despite (or perhaps because of) these changes, the EMB has not been able to administer elections effectively, and its autonomy and capacity over the years have been suspect.29. Most of the post-independent elections in Nigeria were held with blood letting. It is, however, important to note that elections are not in themselves a guarantee for sustainable democratic transition and consolidation. The elections were not credible, as attested by reports of local and international observers including the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), the Carter Center, National Democratic Institute (NDI), International Republican Institute (IRI), and the EU. The form and character of the Nigerian state, giving rise especially to political instability and severe underdevelopment, are other sources of the deepening crisis of electoral governance in Nigeria. 61105. B. Agyeman-Duah, Elections and electoral politics in Ghanas Fourth Republic, Critical Perspectives 18 (July 2005), p. 3; and J. Shola Omotola, Ghana defies the odds again: the 2008 elections and the consolidation of democracy, Politeia29, 1 (2008), pp. International Democracy Day: Meet chairmen of Nigerian electoral bodies The second is INECs reliance on the use of ad hoc staff, who are usually hastily briefed for a day about their duties. Michael Bratton, Second elections in Africa, Journal of Democracy9, 3 (1998), p. 51. In celebration of the International Democracy Day on Tuesday September 15, The ICIR profiles heads of the various electoral commissions since the start of the Second Republic. Said Adejomobi, When votes do not count: the 2007 general elections in Nigeria, News from Nordic African Institute, 2, (May 2007), pp. 30520. This was the case with opposition gubernatorial candidates in Kogi, Adamawa and Anambra states, where opposition candidates (ANPP and AC) were excluded. Moreover, Obasanjo had accorded the south-west some reasonably high levels of patronage between 1999 and 2003. The Ephraim Apata-chaired Independent National Electoral Commission oversaw and conducted the Local Government polls of 1998 the Gubernatorial election of 1999 and the Feb 27 1999 the Presidential election that ushered Olusegun Obasanjo as President of Nigeria. The history of electoral bodies in Nigeria dates back to the posts independence era. It was the first time in the history of the country that a democratically elected civilian government completed two terms of eight years, conducted elections, and successfully handed over to another elected government. After every flawed election, the tendency has been for INEC to lay the blame on the doorstep of its temporary staff, rather than accept responsibility at the leadership level.32. J. Shola Omotola, The limits of election monitoring: Nigerias 2003 general election, Representation42, 2 (2006), pp. (NEC) from 1987 to 1993; National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON . That was not enough to justify the militarization of voting, which not only undermined voter turnout but also provided cover for the INEC to rig the elections in favour of the ruling party.46. The belated electoral alliance between the PDP and AD where the latter fielded no presidential candidate of its own, but directed its supporters to vote for Obasanjo also contributed to the problem.47 It was a practical demonstration of the south-western agenda to frustrate the perceived northern anti-Obasanjo agenda. All reported widespread irregularities, including a miraculous 100 percent turnout of voters in Rivers State during the presidential election.36 Yet, the attendant protests were moderate as major stakeholders in the elections including political parties, candidates, and civil society decided to sheath their swords, possibly appeased by the renewed promise of democracy.37 Because the election was meant essentially to disengage the military from politics, not much attention was paid to its credibility. From a minimalist perspective, elections are the first and most basic indicator of democracy. 1478. Elections which empower ordinary citizens to choose among contestants for top political offices clearly promote rules.6. The commission conducted and oversaw the Federal and Western regional elections of 1964 and 1965 respectively. The Electoral Act was passed in 2001, and three other pieces of legislation have since been passed, in 2002, 2006 . This significant financial control contributes to the inability of INEC to make adequate, timely planning and preparations for successful elections. In some south-western states, particularly Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo, there were violent protests against the massive rigging and overturning of the peoples will. Indeed, local and international observers were unanimous in their outright condemnation of the elections.55, That massive irregularities marred the elections is supported by some verifiable indices. These shortcomings cast ominous shadows on the elections and the prospects of democratic consolidation. Despite some protests about INECs level of preparation, all the thirty political parties participated at one level of the elections or the other. The Federal Electoral Commission (FEC), established in 1960 conducted the immediate post-independence federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965 respectively. Humphrey Nwosu (1989-1993) The National Electoral Commission of Nigeria was first chaired by Professor Eme Awa from 1987 to 1989. The origin of Electoral bodies in Nigeria can be traced to the period before Independence when the Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) was established to conduct 1959 elections. 10322. Thirty-six Years of Independence in Nigeria: the Political - Jstor I am, however, solely responsible for the views expressed. If nothing else, the convening of scheduled multi-party elections serves the minimal function of marking democracys survival.11, Staffan Lindberg adds weight to this thinking, especially in the African context, when he speaks about the surprising significance of African elections.12 Lindberg observes that the positive effects of holding repetitive elections are perhaps not restricted to free and fair elections, at least not in the early stages of democratization.13 He argues, for instance, that electoral problems such as inflated voters registries, political violence during the campaign and polling day, outright fraudulent voting and collation of votes, intimidation of voters and political opponents . Yet, the parties were each dominant along ethno-regional and religious divides. 2. To identify areas of similarities and dissimilarities between the two electoral management bodies. Whatever happens must be treated as a family affair. 2007 elections [ edit] Main article: 2007 Nigerian general election The Nigerian general elections of 2007 were held on 14 April and 21 April 2007. 5766. Here are the various electoral bodies the country has had after independence: Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN): Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) was inaugurated in 1958 to conduct the 1959 federal elections. There has been six election management bodies in Nigeria since 1959, namely Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN) from1959 to 1964; Federal Electoral Commission (FEC) from 1964 . The article engages these questions and argues that the democratic qualities of Nigerian elections under the Fourth Republic (19992007) have been shallow because of ineffective governance. (Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, OH, 2009). elections is framed by the 2010 Electoral Act, harmonized (similar to a For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription. Elections are meaningfully democratic if they are free, fair, participatory, competitive, and legitimate. Please check for further notifications by email. This is a list of electoral bodies in Nigeria since Independence: The Federal Electoral Commission was chaired by Mr. Eyo E. Esua. 5973; Tukumbi Lumumba-Kasongo (ed.) . As remarkable as this seems, it should not be interpreted to mean that any sort of elections would do in the third election test indeed the declining quality of Nigerian elections is increasingly being considered as a source of democratic deconsolidation.61 Second, the resort to the courts to seek electoral justice is a clear deviation from the use of self-help strategies to settle electoral scores in the past. ELECTION MANAGEMENT BODIES AND ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA - Academia.edu Electoral democracy and administration of Elections in Nigeria. Labour has welcomed the government's NHS workforce plan but says it comes too late to solve the crisis in the health service. In Ondo and Edo states, however, declaratory judgments were given, leading to the restoration of the electoral victory of the Labour Party and AC in the respective states. J. Shola Omotola, What is this gender talk all about after all? A number of domestic and international observers also participated. The independence of Nigeria from Britain was heralded with pomp and pageantry by both foreigners and the indigenous population. Dive into the market easily with a no-deposit $50 Bonus (available for Nigeria) and turn a free $50 into real profit up to $500! This is a list of electoral bodies in Nigeria since Independence: Federal Electoral Commission The Federal Electoral Commission was chaired by Mr. Eyo E. Esua. Nevertheless, the 2007 elections are reputable for at least four important reasons. A professional, capable, and independent INEC, free from partisan influence and government control, would provide better prospects of effective electoral administration. The first was the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) formed by the military government led by General Olusegun Obasanjo . The first is its composition, which is the prerogative of the President. What are the functions of INEC in Nigeria? Interesting facts 1 and 23. There were pockets of protest regarding the credibility of the elections, the most notable being the litigation filed by the defeated candidate, who challenged the results of the election. Again, this raises the question of the independence and impartiality of INEC, and of its ability to create a level playing field for all electoral players. Electoral Violence and the Challenge of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria Summer Dagogo-Jack conducted the March 1997 Local Government Elections but the elected officials were not inaugurated Is the sudden death of Sani Abacha aborted the process. For example, the two leading opposition candidates in the presidential election pursued their cases to the Supreme Court, where the case was decided in favour of President YarAdua of the PDP. The logistics of conducting countrywide elections mean that INEC is overwhelmed during voting and counting.62 The electoral laws, which can be manipulated to secure the services of politicians within the electoral body, is another dimension of the problem. There were instances where INEC decided to disqualify candidates on the eve of the elections, contrary to court orders. It was Humphery Nwosu that conducted the June 12 Presidential election of 1993 adjudged by many to be free and fair. Some of the basic problems included the unnecessary militarization of the elections through the massive deployment of security forces. Since the attainment of independence, electoral fraud has remained a knotty issue. U.S. conference report) several weeks ago by the National Assembly. INEC in Nigeria. However he was ordered by the military regime to stop the announcement of the results and winner of the election and was subsequently dismissed. What makes elections free and fair?, Journal of Democracy8, 3 (1997), pp. Some of the findings of the study include: (1) local government election in Nigeria is not given premium position by many state governments in the political landscape of their state because of the . The Federal Electoral Commission (FEC) was later established in 1960 to conduct the federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965 respectively.

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