Electoral Guidelines – Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, Lagos South Battalion Council

Introduction

The Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, Lagos South Battalion Council upholds a transparent, fair, and democratic electoral process in alignment with its Bye-Laws. These guidelines serve as a reference for all future elections within the Battalion Council, ensuring consistency and order.

Elections are conducted as part of the Annual General Meeting (AGM), where eligible officers vote to elect new leaders. Voting may be conducted physically or electronically, as determined by the Electoral Committee.

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1. Electoral Committee and Responsibilities

As stipulated in Article 10, Section 6 of the Bye-Laws, the Electoral Committee is appointed by the State Council through the Office of the State Secretary/Organiser. It is responsible for:

• Establishing election timelines and nomination procedures.
• Screening all candidates to ensure they meet eligibility requirements.
• Overseeing the election process in a fair and transparent manner.
• Declaring the official results at the AGM.

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2. Eligibility to Vote and Contest for Office

Who Can Vote?

Per Article 10, Section 7, voting rights are exclusively reserved for Captains or designated representatives of registered Companies within the Battalion Council.

Who Can Contest?

To be eligible for election, candidates must:

• Meet the specific qualifications for the office they seek.
• Have actively participated in Battalion Council programs and activities for at least one year preceding the election.
• Have at least 80% attendance at Battalion programs, officer meetings, enrollment services, and relevant State/National events.
• Be financially up to date with the Battalion Council.
• Be a resident of Lagos and an active member of a Company under the Battalion’s jurisdiction.
• Provide recommendation letters from both their Company Captain and Chaplain.
• Have no pending disciplinary cases or investigations within the past year.
• Demonstrate strong leadership, commitment, and alignment with the Object of The Boys’ Brigade.

The nomination process typically closes before the elections, allowing time for proper screening and ballot preparation.

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3. Voting Process

As outlined in Section 8, elections are conducted via a secure and transparent voting system:

• Voting may be conducted online or in person, as determined by the Electoral Committee.
• Each registered Company is entitled to one vote, exercised by the Captain or their designated representative.
• Voting shall be by secret ballot, unless otherwise specified by the Electoral Committee.
• The candidate with the majority vote shall be declared the winner.

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4. By-Elections and Dispute Resolution

By-Elections

If an elected position becomes vacant due to resignation, suspension, or any other reason, a by-election shall be conducted within three (3) months to fill the position, in line with Section 9. The newly elected officer will serve the remainder of the original tenure.

Dispute Resolution

Per Section 10, any election-related disputes must be handled through the Electoral Committee, following this procedure:

• Formal complaints must be submitted in writing.
• The Electoral Committee’s decision is final, subject to ratification by the State Council.

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5. Swearing-In and Handover

As per Section 11, newly elected officers shall be sworn in during a Church service under the supervision of the State Secretary/Organizer.

• Outgoing officers must submit all official materials and render accounts within two weeks after the elections.
• Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, including a ban from contesting for the next two election cycles (6 years).

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6. Key Electoral Procedures

Process	Details
Electoral Committee Formation	Supervised by the State Council through the Office of the State Secretary/Organizer.
Nomination Process	Candidates submit applications and required documents before the deadline.
Screening Process	The Electoral Committee verifies eligibility and finalizes the ballot.
Voting Method	Conducted physically or electronically, as determined by the Committee.
Result Announcement	The winning candidates are declared at the AGM.
By-Elections	Held within three (3) months if a position becomes vacant.
Handover Period	Outgoing officers must submit records within two weeks.

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7. Compliance and Final Notes

All officers and members are expected to adhere to these guidelines to uphold the integrity of the election process. Any violation of the electoral procedures may result in disqualification or disciplinary action.