FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, held a one-day retreat in Benin to deliberate on the challenges and proffer solutions for credible local government election.
Chairman of the commission, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan described the retreat, with the theme: ‘Strengthening Grassroots Democracy: Navigating the Complexities of Local Government Elections in Nigeria,’ as crucial, noting that the insights gained would be instrumental in driving reforms to promote grassroots democracy in Edo State and beyond.
Delivering a lecture at the retreat titled ‘The Role of State Independent Electoral Commissions, SIECs, in Grassroots Democracy,’ Dr. Suleman Ikhuoria stressed that SIECs were 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.
“However, the effectiveness of this democracy hinges on the operational independence and integrity of the Electoral Commission,” he said.
Also speaking, the secretary of the commission, Mr. Emmanuel Abebe highlighted the importance of professionalism, accountability, and regulatory compliance in electoral administration.
He stated that by upholding civil service Rules entails fostering a culture of accountability and transparency within the electoral commission, which in turn enhances public trust in the electoral process.
Addressing the persistent challenge of mishandling electoral materials, the head of Policy, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Dickson Adeyan 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 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.
