LG Polls: Opposition kicks as state electoral bodies impose new fees

DAILY TRUST

Opposition parties are voicing strong opposition to the decision by several state electoral commissions to impose fees on candidates vying for positions in the upcoming local government elections.

Following a recent Supreme Court judgment that granted local government autonomy, many states have scheduled council elections. However, the introduction of additional charges by state electoral bodies, on top of the fees for expression of interest and nomination forms charged by the political parties, has sparked controversy.

Critics argue that these new fees contradict the practices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which conducts all other elections in Nigeria without imposing such financial burdens on candidates. The predictability of state electoral commission-conducted elections has long been viewed as an obstacle to genuine local government autonomy, with some advocating for the transfer of their functions to INEC. The Senate is even considering a bill to create a new electoral body to oversee local government elections, amid complaints that state commissions largely act as rubber stamps for state governors.

Despite the ongoing debate on the role and viability of state electoral commissions, some have introduced or re-activated candidate fees, a move that political analysts and opposition parties condemn as an attempt to disenfranchise capable candidates and further monetise the electoral process.

Jigawa State

The state electoral commission in Jigawa has asked those interested in contesting for the chairmanship position to pay N5 million, while those to contest for councillorship are to pay N2 million.

Reacting to this, the PDP chairman in the state, Ali Diginsa, said the party had decided to boycott the poll because of these exorbitant fees.

“The estimated cost of what the PDP is supposed to pay is well over N709 million; if 10 political parties decide to buy the forms, SIEC will get a staggering N79 billion or more. This is far above their approved budget, seeing that SIEC is not a profit making venture,” he said.

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