By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
IN a significant move towards strengthening credible Local Government elections, Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has organized a comprehensive sensitization workshop on its newly enacted Electoral Law 2025.
Chairman of the KOSIEC, Alhaji Mamman Nda Eri, who declared the workshop open on Monday in Lokoja said it was aimed at demystifying the legal and operational frameworks guiding the upcoming 2026 Council polls in the state.
The workshop was themed “Understanding Electoral Procedures Under the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2025: A Panacea for Credible Elections.”
Chairman Eri, in his opening remarks, emphasized that elections remain the “Heartbeat of Democracy as one of the fundamental elements. Kogi State is poised for a new chapter in its electoral journey.”
The Chairman stressed that the strength of any electoral system relies not just on the existence of laws, but on the collective understanding and adherence to those laws by all stakeholders.
He noted that the newly enacted 2025 Electoral Law in Kogi provides clear guidelines, timelines, and safeguards, intended to boost transparency and predictability in the conduct of Local Government elections.
“The essence of this law is not in the pages on which it is written, but in how each citizen, political actor, and electoral officer understands and aligns with its spirit,” he said.
Eri outlined three core pillars of the new electoral procedure: Clarity, Accountability, and Inclusiveness, asserting that these would transform elections from a source of suspicion into a dignified expression of the people’s will.
“When stakeholders understand and follow due process, elections cease to be ‘a battlefield of suspicion’ and instead, become ‘a dignified expression of the people’s will”, he said.
In his welcome address, KOSIEC Secretary, Hon. Muhammed Usman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting elections that are not only credible and acceptable but legally compliant.
He noted that recent judicial decisions across the country have made it clear that strict adherence to statutory regulations in all electoral processes is essential.
Hon. Usman reiterated the Commission’s vision of full compliance with electoral guidelines and judicial pronouncements, emphasising that transparency, equity, impartiality, and integrity remain the Commission’s guding principles.
In his detailed presentation, Barr. Bamidele Suru, walked participants through key provisions of the law, including pre-election processes, innovations, and the roles of candidates and agents.
Political party representatives expressed appreciation for the initiative as a participant from one of the major parties said, “This is exactly what we need—clear guidelines and a level playing field.”
Civil society organizations praised KOSIEC’s proactive approach, saying, “Educating stakeholders is a crucial step in minimizing disputes and promoting peace.”
The event brought together political stakeholders, legal experts, civil society organizations, and media representatives with a common goal of ensuring credible Local Government elections in the state. (Ends)