FOSIECON Advocates Institutional Collaboration Between INEC, SIECs

The National Chairman of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON), Mr. Mamman Nda Eri, has advocated a structured policy framework to enhance collaboration between State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a strategy to deepen grassroots democracy in Nigeria.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by FOSIECON members to the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, at the Commission’s National Headquarters in Abuja, Eri underscored the need for institutional synergy aimed at strengthening the credibility, transparency, and professionalism of local government elections across the country.

He emphasized that a sustained and well-defined partnership between INEC and SIECs would promote uniform standards in electoral administration while respecting their distinct constitutional mandates.

According to him, enhanced cooperation would significantly boost public confidence in elections conducted at the grassroots level.

As part of the proposed policy direction, Eri identified key areas for collaboration, including capacity building, technical assistance, technology transfer, policy dialogue on electoral reforms, voter education initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and research and data exchange.

He noted that aligning operational best practices would improve efficiency and accountability within state electoral bodies.

The FOSIECON Chairman highlighted INEC’s technological innovations, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, describing them as transformative tools that have strengthened transparency in national elections.

He suggested that SIECs could adapt similar innovations within the scope of their constitutional responsibilities to improve the integrity of local polls.

Mr Eri congratulated the INEC Chairman on his appointment and commended the Commission’s leadership in driving reforms and technological advancement in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Ajifa Ainoko, Edited By Grace Namiji