ENetSuD challenges KWASIEC’s election notice delay, queries board’s duty abandonment
Kwara State, Nigeria – The Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD) has stepped forward to debunk misconceptions surrounding the notice period required for Local Government elections in Kwara State.
Additionally, the organization has raised concerns about the perceived inaction of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) Board in fulfilling its responsibilities.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations, Owolewa Olayinka El-Hakeem, ENetSuD responded to misleading information circulating within the government, which suggests that KWASIEC must provide one year’s notice before conducting Local Government elections in the state.
This notion, ENetSuD argues, stems from a misinterpretation of Section 28 of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish a notice 360 days before elections like the Presidential, Gubernatorial, National, and State Assembly elections.
However, ENetSuD clearified that this provision does not apply to Local Government elections, which are organized by State Independent Electoral Commissions.
The organization asserted that a close examination of Kwara State’s Local Government Electoral Law No. 3 of 2010, Section 20(1), reveals that the notice period for a Local Government election in the state is a minimum of 150 days.
ENetSuD emphasizes that this law remains in force unless amended by the Kwara State House of Assembly.
Comparing this to Section 150 of the Electoral Act, which stipulates a similar notice period for Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Local Government Area (LGA) elections across states, ENetSuD notes that Section 103(3) of the Electoral Act specifies that FCT Area Council elections should occur not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the last officeholder’s term.
ENetSuD expressed dismay over the absence of lawful occupants in the executive and legislative offices across the 16 LGAs in Kwara State. According to the organization, vacancies exist in the LGAs as illegal Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) members have assumed positions not envisaged by the law.
ENetSuD conclusively questioned why KWASIEC has yet to publish a notice of election since May 19, 2023, when its Board resumed duty following inauguration by the Kwara State Government.
