By Abubakar Abraham
Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), in collaboration with Equity Draftsmen Law Office, on Monday, commenced a one-day sensitisation workshop for political stakeholders themed: “Understanding Electoral Procedures under the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2025: A Panacea for Credible Elections.”
The workshop, held at the NUT Hall, Lokoja, attracted Chairmen and Secretaries of all registered political parties, aspirants, women and youth leaders, civil society organisations, security agencies, and the media.
Declaring the event open, the Secretary of the Commission, who welcomed participants. stressed that “the credibility of any election depends on its institutional and legal framework.” He noted that recent court pronouncements have reinforced the necessity for strict adherence to electoral laws and regulations.
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He commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for assenting to the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2025, describing it as a landmark legislation that provides an independent environment for democratic governance at the grassroots.
In his keynote address, KOSIEC Chairman, Mamman Nda Eri, described elections as “the heartbeat of democracy” and emphasised that the new law introduces clarity, accountability, and inclusiveness in the conduct of local government elections.
“Understanding these procedures means understanding your role and rights. When these procedures are understood and followed, elections cease to be a battlefield of suspicion and become a civic celebration,” Eri stated.
Delivering a paper titled: “Understanding the Electoral Jurisprudence under Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2025,” lead resource person and legal practitioner, Bamidele Suru Esq., traced the evolution of Nigeria’s electoral reforms from 1999 to the Electoral Act 2022, highlighting key innovations such as electronic transmission of results, early release of funds, use of BVAS, and stricter timelines for party primaries.
Mr. Suru explained that the KOSIEC Law 2025 adopts many of these progressive provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 by virtue of Section 150 of the state law, thereby aligning local government elections with national best practices.
Participants were taken through practical sessions on pre-election, election-day, and post-election procedures, the roles of stakeholders, offence provisions, dispute-resolution mechanisms, and strategies for peaceful participation.
Speaking to journalists after the workshop, the KOSIEC Chairman, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to transparency and impartiality, assuring all political parties of a level playing field.
“This workshop is just the beginning. We will continue intensive stakeholder engagement, voter education, and staff training to ensure that the forthcoming local government elections in Kogi State become a model of credibility and peace,” he said.
The sensitisation workshop is widely seen as a proactive step by KOSIEC to build confidence and reduce litigation as the Commission prepares to release the timetable for the next local government elections in the state.
