Electoral Commission and Officials – SS2 Government Lesson Note (First Term)

An electoral commission is an independent and impartial body responsible for organising and conducting elections in a country. It is headed by a Chairman, and other members help to run its affairs. Its work includes registering voters and political parties, providing electoral materials, counting votes and announcing results.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain the meaning of an electoral commission;
• state the features of an electoral commission;
• list the functions of an electoral commission;
• describe the role of the Chairman and the resident commissioner in each state.

What is an electoral commission?

An electoral commission is a body responsible for organising and conducting elections in a political system. It is an independent and impartial body charged with the responsibility of conducting and organising elections in a country.

The commission usually has a head who is referred to as the Chairman of the Commission. Other members of the commission help in the smooth running of the affairs of the body.

What are the features of an electoral commission?

1. Organising and conducting elections: The electoral commission has the sole responsibility of organising and conducting all elections in a political system.
2. Ensuring free and fair elections: It is also the specific duty of the commission to conduct free and fair elections in a country.
3. Announcement of election results: Only the commission is permitted by law to announce election results.
4. Independent body: The commission is an independent and impartial electoral body.
5. Headed by a Chairman: The commission is controlled by the Chairman, while other members are appointed.
6. Fixed tenure of office: The members of the electoral commission have a stipulated tenure of office.
7. Resident electoral commissioner: Each state of the federation has a resident commissioner who works for the body in the state.
8. Constitutionally guided: In all its actions, the commission is strongly backed by law.
9. Honesty and fair play: An electoral commission is expected to be honest and just in decision making, especially in the conduct of elections.
10. A neutral body: The commission should be neutral and should not be partisan in outlook.

What are the functions of an electoral commission?

1. Registration of political parties: The commission registers political parties according to the stipulated rules and regulations. Parties that meet the requirements are duly registered.
2. Registration of voters: Eligible voters in a country are registered by the commission.
3. Provision of electoral materials: During an election, the commission must provide electoral materials such as ballot papers and polling booths.
4. Free and fair elections: The major function of an electoral commission is to organise and conduct credible, free and fair elections in a country.
5. Delimitation (division) of the country: The commission divides the country into constituencies or electoral districts for easy conduct of elections.
6. Appointment and training: It appoints electoral officers and organises training for ad hoc staff, presiding officers, clerks, polling orderlies and others.
7. Counting of votes: The commission is responsible for counting votes and releasing the results of elections conducted.
8. Financial grants to parties: Part of the function of the commission is to give financial grants to political parties to aid their campaigns and election activities.
9. Enlightenment: The commission educates the electorate about the necessary issues in the elections.
10. Types of voting: The commission informs the electorate about the type of voting system to be adopted in an election, whether secret or open (public) voting.
11. Screening of candidates: Candidates for election are screened and their eligibility is confirmed before elections are held.
12. Security at the polling stations: Elections can sometimes be rowdy, so the commission provides adequate security at the polling stations. This safeguards the lives and property of the commission’s staff and of the voters and prevents unwarranted attacks.

Evaluation

1. What is an electoral commission?
2. State five features of an electoral commission.
3. Explain why the commission screens candidates before an election.
4. List five functions of an electoral commission.

Assignment

1. Explain the role of the Chairman of an electoral commission.
2. Describe how an electoral commission prepares for the security of voters and staff at polling stations.