By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist News Desk
The Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), which has commenced preliminary preparations for the 2027 Local Government elections, is facing criticism over the alleged high cost of nomination forms and compulsory tax clearance requirements for political aspirants.
The criticism comes amid the Commission’s ongoing stakeholder engagement with chairmen and secretaries of registered political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders as part of efforts to ensure peaceful, free, fair, credible and inclusive council elections across the state.
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting, AKISIEC outlined its electoral roadmap, immediate priorities and proposed activities ahead of the 2027 polls. In his welcome address, the Commission’s Secretary and Officer Covering Duties for the Board Chairman, Dr. Uduak Udoh, MNIM, described the enactment of the AKISIEC Law 2026, following its endorsement by Governor Umo Eno, Ph.D., as a significant milestone in strengthening democratic governance and preparing the state for the forthcoming elections.
However, while the Commission’s engagement with political stakeholders signals an early commitment to electoral preparedness, Elder Umoudi Etukudo Essien, an APGA chieftainin Akwa Ibom state has challenged AKISIEC to demonstrate its commitment to democratic inclusiveness by reviewing the financial conditions imposed on aspirants seeking elective offices.
Essien specifically questioned the alleged ₦1.5 million expenditure required of an aspirant seeking the office of local government chairman during the last AKISIEC-conducted elections, reportedly covering the nomination form and tax clearance requirements.
He argued that such financial demands could undermine grassroots democracy by restricting political participation to individuals with substantial financial resources, thereby excluding qualified farmers, petty traders, artisans and other ordinary citizens who may have the competence and desire to serve their communities.
According to him, democracy should not be reduced to a contest of financial strength, insisting that the opportunity to seek elective office should be determined by competence, integrity and commitment to public service rather than an aspirant’s ability to pay.
The APGA chieftain further questioned the justification for imposing nomination form charges on local government aspirants, drawing comparisons with nomination procedures adopted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and calling on AKISIEC to explain the rationale behind its requirements.
He maintained that local government, being the closest tier of government to the people, ought to provide the most accessible platform for grassroots political participation, rather than create financial barriers that discourage credible individuals from entering the electoral contest.
In one of his strongest submissions, Essien declared that AKISIEC was established to conduct credible elections and strengthen democratic governance, not to generate revenue through the sale of nomination forms.
He consequently urged the Commission to abolish charges for nomination forms, discontinue compulsory tax clearance certificates as a condition for contesting local government elections, review restrictive electoral guidelines and guarantee equal opportunities for qualified aspirants across political parties.
Essien also maintained that electoral credibility should not be measured solely by the conduct of voting, counting of ballots and announcement of results, but must begin with creating a fair environment in which every qualified citizen has a reasonable opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
As AKISIEC intensifies consultations ahead of the 2027 Local Government elections, the concerns raised by the APGA chieftain present an important issue for public discussion and possible policy review.
The Commission’s challenge, therefore, goes beyond organising another round of council elections. It must also demonstrate that its electoral guidelines promote transparency, affordability, political equality and public confidence.
Ultimately, the credibility of the 2027 council polls will depend not only on how votes are cast and counted but also on whether the electoral process gives ordinary Akwa Ibom citizens a genuine opportunity to contest, choose their leaders and participate meaningfully in grassroots democracy.
