LAGOS, ONDO SHARE KNOWLEDGE ON ELECTION MANAGEMENT

The Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips, has stressed the need for regular interaction and exchange of ideas among Election Management Bodies in the country and their counterparts in other parts of the world, noting that the demands imposed on election management bodies required effective collaboration and cross-fertilization of ideas for the successful conduct of elections.

Justice Phillips stated this while welcoming the Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Prof. Yomi Dinakin and his delegation comprising of Principal staff of the Commission who were on a three-day official visit to LASIEC.

While stating that democratic governance had become the norm at all levels of government in several countries of the world, she pointed out that “the foundation upon which democratic rule rests is laid by Election Management Bodies”, adding that such enormous responsibility makes it imperative for election bodies to strive to lay a credible and enduring foundation for democratic rule through the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections.

Phillips further stated that her experience at the Commission and during observation of elections conducted by other election management bodieswithin and outside the country had underscored the need for continuous improvement in election administration and management in order to enhance the electoral process.

The LASIEC Chairman maintained that experience had shown that election managers and administrators must be sensitive to the changing socio-cultural, political and behavioural patterns of the electorate and the general public as well as emerging technological innovations which could serve as a guide in policy formulation and implementation.

Hon. Justice Phillips also noted that since democracy is a universal concept and the dynamics of election management and administration constantly change in response to emerging trends and development across the world, the institutional framework provided to midwife democratic governance must conform to international election best practices.

She also revealed that the Commission would rely more on the use of technology for the conduct of its next elections in line with current trends, adding that necessary infrastructure and equipment that would facilitate the vision would be acquired before the elections.

Explaining that the problem of voter apathy was a source of concern to the Commission,  she pledged that the Commission had resolved to commit more resources to continuous civic and voter education engagements with stakeholders so that no segment of the population was left out of the campaign aimed at ensuring more effective participation in the electoral process by all eligible voters in the State.

Also speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Prof. Yomi Dinakin, stated that his team decided to visit LASIEC to learn more about election administration and management.

He commended the Chairman, Electoral Commissioners and the staff of the Commission (LASIEC) for the warm reception accorded his team during the visit, stressing that he was particularly impressed by the depth of knowledge in election management and administration displayed by both the Chairman, Electoral Commissioners and the directors of the various Departments and Units of the LASIEC.