Scrap State Electoral Commissions, Hand LG Polls To INEC – Accord Party Urges NASS

The Accord Party in Lagos State has called on the National Assembly to scrap the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), citing their lack of neutrality and failure to ensure credible grassroots elections.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, the Lagos State Chairman of Accord, Dele Oladeji, stated that the recently concluded local government elections in the state clearly demonstrated that state electoral bodies, such as LASIEC, are compromised and incapable of conducting free and fair polls.

Oladeji did not mince words in condemning the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, describing Saturday’s polls as “nothing to be proud of.” He accused the commission of bias, poor planning, and disenfranchising opposition candidates.

He said, “State Electoral Commissions are not in any way independent. LASIEC is an example. So, if we want true democracy at the grassroots, there is a need for INEC to take over the conduct of state elections.”

Oladeji insisted that transferring local government election responsibilities to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would enhance voter confidence and ensure credible outcomes nationwide.

He criticised the electoral process, noting that the “formula was wrong” from the outset.

Oladeji said, “When you have candidates properly nominated by a political party but disenfranchised by the umpire, when candidates aren’t sure whether they are even on the ballot until election day, that is not credible.

“It is not free and fair because the formula was wrong; there is no way you can get the answer.”

The Accord Party leader stated that many opposition candidates were sidelined, with no communication from LASIEC regarding their final inclusion until the day of the election.

Dismissing concerns that INEC would be overburdened if tasked with conducting local council elections, Oladeji said the excuse was “a lie” intended to maintain the status quo.

He further stated, “They won’t be overburdened. INEC has been around for some time, fine-tuning its operations. INEC can effectively and efficiently run local government elections, just as they run state and national elections.”

He admitted that while INEC is not perfect, its track record and operational structure offer more transparency and credibility than state electoral bodies.

Oladeji further advised LASIEC to “borrow a leaf” from INEC, especially in areas of efficiency, transparency, and voter communication.

“LASIEC has a lot to learn from INEC to deliver acceptable elections and outcomes,” he added.

Saturday’s local government elections saw the participation of 15 political parties, though preliminary results show the All Progressives Congress (APC) dominating the chairmanship and councillorship positions across the state’s 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.