**Lesson Plan: Civic Education for Junior Secondary 3**
**Topic: Electoral Bodies in Nigeria**
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**Objective:**
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Understand what electoral bodies are and their importance in Nigeria.
2. Identify the main electoral body in Nigeria.
3. Describe the functions and responsibilities of Nigeria's electoral body.
4. Recognize the significance of fair and free elections in a democratic society.
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**Materials Needed:**
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and laptop for presentations
- Handouts with information on electoral bodies
- Charts showing structure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
- Videos or documentaries on the electoral process in Nigeria (optional)
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**Lesson Structure:**
1. **Introduction (10 minutes):**
- Greet the students and briefly introduce the topic.
- Ask the students a few questions to gauge their prior knowledge about elections and electoral bodies (e.g., "What is an election?" "Have you heard about INEC?").
- Provide a brief overview of what will be covered in the lesson.
2. **Presentation (20 minutes):**
- Define electoral bodies: Explain that electoral bodies are organizations set up to oversee the conduct of elections.
- Introduce the main electoral body in Nigeria: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
- Show a chart with the organizational structure of INEC.
- Discuss the functions and responsibilities of INEC:
1. Conducting elections for various political offices.
2. Voter registration and education.
3. Monitoring political party activities.
4. Delimitation of electoral boundaries.
- Emphasize the importance of fairness, transparency, and credibility in the electoral process.
3. **Group Activity (15 minutes):**
- Divide the class into small groups and give each group a handout with different scenarios relating to the electoral process (e.g., issues with voter registration, monitoring campaigns, election day procedures).
- Ask the groups to discuss and identify how INEC would handle each scenario.
- After the discussion, have each group present their findings to the class.
4. **Discussion (10 minutes):**
- Facilitate a class discussion on the significance of having a reliable electoral body.
- Encourage students to share their thoughts on how free and fair elections impact democracy in Nigeria.
- Ask students to reflect on the challenges that INEC might face and how it can overcome them.
5. **Conclusion (5 minutes):**
- Recap the key points discussed in the lesson.
- Reinforce the importance of the students being informed and active participants in the democratic process as they approach voting age.
- Provide a brief on the next lesson or an upcoming civics project.
6. **Homework/Assignment (Optional):**
- Assign students to research and write a short essay on one aspect of the electoral process in Nigeria.
- Alternatively, students could interview a family member or community leader about their experiences and views on elections and electoral bodies.
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**Assessment:**
- Participation in group activity and class discussion.
- Understanding of INEC's roles and the importance of electoral bodies through verbal responses and engagement.
- Evaluation of the homework/assignment if given.
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**Resources:**
- [INEC Official Website](http://www.inecnigeria.org)
- Civic Education textbooks and supplementary reading materials
- Relevant online educational videos and documentaries
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**Note to Teachers:**
Encourage students to stay updated on current electoral processes by following news and updates from credible sources. Create an inclusive environment where every student feels comfortable to share their views and ask questions.