Establishment: State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) are established by the respective State Houses of Assembly in each state of the federation. This power is derived from Section 197 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides for the establishment of SIECs to conduct elections to local government councils.
Composition: The composition of SIECs varies by state, as determined by the State House of Assembly. Generally, a SIEC is headed by a Chairman and not less than five but not more than seven other persons (Item B, Paragraph 3, Part II of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution).
Appointment: The Chairman and the members of the SIEC are appointed by the Governor of the state, subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly (Section 198 of the 1999 Constitution).
Functions: The primary function of SIECs, as outlined in the Constitution, is to organize, undertake, and supervise elections to local government councils within the state and advise the INEC on the compilation of and the register of voters concerning local government elections in the State (Item B, Paragraph 4, Part II of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution).
Removal: Members of SIECs can only be removed by the Governor of the state. However, the Governor can only do so if supported by a two-thirds majority of the State House of Assembly. This removal process is reserved for situations where a member is unable to perform their duties properly due to reasons like health issues or misconduct (Section 201(1) of the 1999 Constitution).
Tenure: Section 199(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution provides that members of SIEC shall hold office for five years from the date of their appointment.