Lagos LG Polls: A Step Backwards for Democracy?

The Lagos State local government elections held on July 12, 2025, have sparked concerns about the state of democracy in the region. Despite the elections being conducted, many Nigerians are questioning the legitimacy of the process due to alarmingly low voter turnouts.

Key Issues:

• Low Voter Turnout: Electoral officials reported single-digit voter turnouts in numerous polling units, with some units having as few as five voters out of 62 registered voters.
• Lack of Transparency: The absence of digital infrastructure, such as biometrics or real-time voter verification, has raised questions about the authenticity of the electoral process.
• Uneven Playing Field: The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) swept all chairmanship seats and 375 councillorship positions, with only one seat going to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), fueling concerns about the fairness of the elections.

Calls for Reform:

• Biometric Systems: Implementing transparent biometric systems, like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System used by INEC, could enhance the credibility of future elections.
• Electronic Transmission of Results: Introducing electronic transmission of results could reduce disputes and increase transparency.
• Mail-in Ballot System: A mail-in ballot system could encourage voter participation and reduce physical inconvenience.

Implications:
The outcome of the elections has raised concerns about the erosion of trust in the electoral process and the potential detachment of governance from the needs of the people. With national elections just two years away, Lagos must address these issues to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.