ELECTION OFFICIALS

Clamour for credible, free and fair elections have always been on for so long but, have heightened in recent years. Is the problem of the electoral body? Is it the problem of our political structure? Is it the problem of all other institutional structures that has to do with elections? Or the combination of all the above mentioned that leads to the problem of conducting credible election which are free and fair. Some other questions that come to mind are: do all those that have to do with elections know the right things to do? If they do have it been done? If it has been done what was the result? Taking a critical look at this issue the problems are caused by human factors because it is easy for human to manipulate his environment to satisfy his desires. At this point one needs to ask whether there is enabling environment when it comes to conducting credible elections if not, has it been manipulated to satisfy our desires in terms of our electoral process at large which encompasses conducting credible, free and fair elections through which the majority can benefit immensely.

          What are the human factors that can be addressed in other to deliver credible, free and fair elections? Is it to acquire and develop the relevant manpower and information technology as well as adequate mobilization and motivation of those that are saddled with the responsibility of organizing and conducting elections? These factors are broadly divided into three (3) broad groups, these are:

1)     Recruitment of electoral and election officials;

2)     Training of electoral and election officials and;

3)     Remuneration of electoral and election officials.

The electoral and election officials are highly essential for carrying out various electoral and election duties for any electoral process to be successful. Electoral officials are the permanent staff of electoral commission while, the election officials are the ad-hoc staff of electoral commission recruited for the smooth conduct of the election, these includes:

                    i.            Poll clerk(s);

                  ii.            Presiding officer(s);

                iii.            Supervisory officer(s);

               iv.            Collation officer(s);

                 v.            Returning officer(s) among many others.

The electoral officials are to ensure the smooth running of the daily activities of the electoral commission; they also carry out most of the obligations of the Election Management Body (EMB) as prescribed by the statutory laws and Acts Parliament or the National Assembly. Electoral officials also carry out other duties as assigned or scheduled by the EMB. On the other hand, election officials are employed as casual employee for the conduct of an election. They are assigned various duties for the conduct of an election and immediately disengaged after completing their assigned duties. Some post-election disputes are resolved with the assistance of election officials by stating categorically at the election tribunal the occurrence in the area(s) under his/her jurisdiction during the election that is been questioned because, when it comes to the occurrence at the polling stations, ward level, etc. election officials are heavily depended upon in most cases.

Both the election and electoral officials are carries out various electoral and election duties across the various polling units, wards, constituencies, Local Governments or county/ districts some of which are commendable while some are condemnable. Both commendable and condemnable actions of electoral and election officials are attributed to the mode of recruitment, training and remuneration of these officials among many other things. In Australia the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) usually interview each applicant that applied as poll official on one on one basis before failing or appointing such person as poll official reasons are also given for any of these actions. Also in New Zealand, Elections New Zealand more do issue appointment letters to the appointed poll officials several days before the election day, stating categorically other poll officials that will be working with the appointee, the responsibilities of the appointee, the polling station where they will be working, the number of voters expected to vote in the polling station, the total allowance which are less tax and various training kits to be studied while the training workbook has to be completed and returned before the compulsory training session for all appointees. If an appointee is unable to comply or satisfy with any of these conditions another poll official will be appointed and subjected to the same treatment before the Election Day as those that has been appointed previously. In most countries where these three factors are given high priorities various details required about the station where such official has been appointed as well as those concerning the election(s) would have been sent to the appointee for adequate comprehension prior to the compulsory training session and the election day while some are to be returned before any of these two periods to ascertain the appointee understanding and acceptance of the appointment. In older or more established democracies the three factors highlighted above are usually taken into cognisance for their democracy to thrive till today.

The process that leads to these three factors are not transparent and not up to standard in Nigeria. There is lack of proper electoral/election training, electoral and election official are poorly remunerated, while the recruitment is not up to standard. This study will build upon the personal experience of electoral officials while discharging their duties across Nigeria to establish the Nigeria situation. more>>>