Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has held a one-day retreat in Benin City themed “Strengthening Grassroots Democracy: Navigating the Complexities of Local Government Elections in Nigeria,” to deliberate on challenges and proffer solutions for credible local elections.
Chairman of the Commission, Rt. Hon. Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, described the retreat as crucial, noting that the insights gained would be instrumental in driving reforms to promote grassroots democracy in Edo State and beyond.
One of the highpoints of the event was a lecture by Commissioner Dr. Suleman Ikhuoria titled “The Role of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in Grassroots Democracy.” in which he stressed that SIECs are not only responsible for conducting local elections but also for safeguarding citizens’ democratic rights.
“Grassroots democracy provides the foundation of our political system. It empowers local communities to choose their leaders and hold them accountable,” he said. “However, the effectiveness of this democracy hinges on the operational independence and integrity of the Electoral Commission.”
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Emmanuel Abebe, in a lecture on “The Essence of Civil Service Rule in the Administration of EDSIEC,” highlighting the importance of professionalism, accountability, and regulatory compliance in electoral administration.
“By upholding Civil Service Rules, we can foster a culture of accountability and transparency within the Electoral Commission, which in turn enhances public trust in the electoral process,” he stated.
Addressing the persistent challenge of mishandling electoral materials, Mr. Dickson Adeyan, Head of Policy, Planning, Research, and Statistics, warned that mismanagement of sensitive materials could compromise the credibility of the entire process. He advocated for stricter measures, improved logistics, and regular training of electoral officers.
The retreat concluded with an interactive session where participants, including Commission members Hon. Ojo Asien, Hon. Thomas Ighomo, Hon. Hope Imafidon, Hon. Anthony Aikpoghome, and Hon. Frank Umoru, discussed actionable strategies to improve the integrity and efficiency of local electoral processes.
As Edo State prepares for its forthcoming local government elections, EDSIEC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and credible process that reflects the will of the people.
