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Electoral Process | Week 15 Topics1 Quiz
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Public Corporation | Week 109 Topics
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Topic Content:
- Meaning of Electoral Commission
- Past Electoral Commissions in Nigeria
- Past Chairmen of INEC
Meaning of Electoral Commission:
Electoral Commission is a government institution that ensures a smooth change of government in a democratic state. It is charged with an important role in organizing and conducting a free and fair election.
The electoral commission, to effectively carry out this responsibility, needs to be independent of any form of control.
Past Electoral Commissions in Nigeria:
(i) Electoral Commission in Nigeria (ECN) was established to conduct 1959 elections.
(ii) Federal Electoral Commission (FEC) was established in 1960. Chief Eyo Esua was the first Chairman. It conducted the immediate post-independence federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965 in Nigeria. Thereafter was an interlude of military rule.
(iii) In 1978, another Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) was reconstituted by the military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo, and Chief Michael Ani was appointed the chairman. He organized the 1979 Second Republic election. In 1983, Justice Victor Ovie Whisky was the chairman and he conducted the 1983 Second Republic election.
(iv) In 1987, the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) was set up (under another Military rule) to pioneer a transition programme. Justice Eme Awa was appointed chairman from 1987 – 1989, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu from 1989 – 1993, and Prof. Okon Uya in 1993 (June – November), On June 12, 1993, the Third Republic presidential election was cancelled. The military government of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida stepped aside.
(v) In 1994, Justice Sumner Dagogo Jack was chairman of the NECON. He was chairman till 1998.
(vi) Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) was set up in 1998. INEC conducted 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 general elections of the fourth republic.
Past Chairmen of INEC:
Below is a list of the past and current chairmen of INEC;
(a) Justice EphraimOmorose Ibukun Akpata was appointed Chairman and he organized the 1999 general election.
(b) Dr. Abel Guobadia was appointed Chairman 2000 – 2005.
(c) Prof. Maurice Iwu Chairman 2005 – 2010.
(d) Prof. Attahiru Jega Chairman 2010 – 2015.
(e) Amina Zakari Chairman 2015.
(f) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu chairman 2015 – date.
