The Take It Back (TIB) Movement, Bauchi State Chapter, has launched a scathing criticism of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) over Monday’s local government elections, accusing the electoral body of administrative bias and demanding urgent clarification over the legal framework under which the polls were conducted.
TIB alleged that BASIEC conducted the elections under what it described as the “outdated” 2008 Bauchi State Electoral Law rather than the 2026 Electoral Act, a development the group said raises serious questions about the legality, transparency and credibility of the exercise.
The controversy has deepened following the decision by five opposition political parties to boycott the election, with the parties alleging that the electoral commission’s procedures created an uneven playing field and imposed burdensome administrative requirements on candidates.
The parties involved in the boycott are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Action Congress (AAC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
According to TIB, the opposition parties’ decision not to participate was linked to concerns that BASIEC was relying on the 2008 Bauchi State Electoral Law rather than the 2026 Electoral Act in organising the local government elections.
The group also pointed to alleged administrative restrictions placed on candidates, including a requirement that electoral forms be processed exclusively at the BASIEC headquarters in Bauchi city.
TIB argued that such requirements could create unnecessary barriers for political participants, particularly candidates and political actors operating outside the state capital.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Executive Committee of the Take It Back Movement, Bauchi State Chapter, the group warned that the controversy surrounding the election could further damage citizens’ confidence in democratic institutions.
The movement stressed that the significance of the dispute should not be underestimated because local government is the level of government closest to ordinary Nigerians and directly affects communities through grassroots administration and public services.
“Local government administration is the tier of governance closest to the grassroots; conducting elections under conditions perceived as non-transparent disenfranchises citizens and weakens democratic culture,” TIB said.
The group demanded full disclosure and clarification of the legal framework relied upon by BASIEC in conducting the election, insisting that voters, political parties, candidates, observers and other stakeholders have a right to know the precise laws and guidelines governing the process.
TIB further insisted that electoral authorities must remain independent and comply fully with applicable electoral laws and guidelines rather than operate in a manner that could create the perception of favouritism or administrative manipulation.
It called for “full compliance with electoral guidelines to guarantee transparent, credible election management across all local government areas, including clarity on which legal framework governs the process.”
The movement also demanded equal political access for all participants, including registered political parties, civil society organisations and independent election observers.
According to TIB, the credibility of any election cannot be separated from the ability of competing political interests and independent observers to participate freely and monitor the process without intimidation, unnecessary restrictions or administrative obstacles.
The group therefore called for protection against administrative bias and harassment, stressing that all political actors and civic organisations must be allowed to participate in the electoral process on equal terms.
TIB also raised concerns over the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights, urging authorities to safeguard the rights to peaceful assembly, free expression and democratic participation.
The movement warned that restrictions on these freedoms could further weaken public confidence in the electoral process and discourage citizens from participating in future elections.
It subsequently urged civil society organisations, youth coalitions and media organisations to intensify their monitoring of the electoral process in Bauchi State and maintain pressure on relevant authorities to provide answers and ensure accountability.
The group said sustained civic monitoring was necessary to prevent electoral processes from becoming detached from the citizens they are intended to serve.
“We remain steadfast in defending human rights, promoting civic education, and advocating for genuine democratic accountability,” TIB said.
The allegations have placed BASIEC’s handling of the Bauchi local government elections under increased public scrutiny, particularly over the legal basis of the polls, the administrative conditions imposed on candidates and the extent to which political parties, civil society organisations and independent observers were granted access to the electoral process.
With five opposition parties boycotting the exercise and TIB demanding clarification over the law allegedly used to conduct the polls, the controversy is likely to fuel further debate over the credibility and inclusiveness of local government elections in Bauchi State.
The dispute also raises a broader question about grassroots democracy: whether local government elections can command genuine public confidence when major political participants question the rules governing the contest and civic groups raise concerns about equal access, transparency and administrative neutrality.