In a significant development, the Senate has taken the first step towards establishing a federal agency responsible for conducting local government elections. On Thursday, July 18, a bill seeking to establish the Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (LGIEC) passed its first reading on the Senate floor.
The bill, titled “Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 531)”, was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance (APC, Niger East). If passed, the LGIEC will oversee and regulate local government elections, ensuring their conduct is free, fair, and transparent.
This move marks a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and ensuring grassroots participation in the country’s political process. The bill’s progress will be closely watched as it moves to the next stage of the legislative process.
