KOSIEC Chairman Harps On Understanding New Electoral Law For Credible Polls

The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has emphasized that a collective understanding of the newly enacted Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2025 is essential for delivering credible, transparent, and participatory elections.

Chairman,KOSIEC, Mr Mamman Nda Eri stated this in Lokoja during a sensitisation workshop organised by the commission in collaboration with Equity Draftsmen Law Office on understanding electoral procedures under the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2025, a panacea for credible elections.

Eri explained that while the 2025 Law provides clear steps, responsibilities, and safeguards to make elections more predictable and transparent, its effectiveness depends on how well citizens, political actors, community leaders, and electoral officers understand and apply its provisions.

According to him, knowing what to expect, what to demand, and what to protect across all stages of the electoral process from voter education to nomination, campaigns, voting, counting, and result declaration was crucial to preventing malpractice.

The KOSIEC chairman who highlighted three core pillars of the new procedure to include clarity, accountability, and inclusiveness stressed that every stage of the process has been deliberately spelled out to erase confusion and block opportunities for manipulation.

Eri further noted that inclusiveness remains a priority, ensuring that voters from remote communities, political actors, and persons with disabilities all have a place and a voice in the electoral system.

He expressed confidence that with shared responsibility and understanding, the state can build an electoral culture that inspires respect and protects democratic aspirations.

The guest speaker, Bamidele Suru, in his presentation emphasized that achieving credible, free and fair elections requires continuous and decisive reforms noting that sustained improvements in the electoral process are essential for strengthening democratic institutions across the country.

Suru explained that the pursuit of an efficient electoral system informed the comprehensive reform process that led to the enactment of the Electoral Act 2022.

The law, he said, introduced key innovations, including empowering INEC to review election results declared under duress and authorizing the electronic transmission of results, among other crucial provisions.

He further stated that the Electoral Act 2022 has infused significant reforms and progressive measures into Nigeria’s electoral framework, surpassing the 2010 Act.

According to him, the updated law reflects insights drawn from court judgments, civil society interventions, electoral experience, and recommendations from election observers.

Ajifa Ainoko, Edited By Grace Namiji