# Senior Secondary 2 Government Lesson Plan
## Topic: Electoral Commission
### Duration: 1 Hour
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### Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define what an Electoral Commission (EC) is.
2. Understand the roles and responsibilities of an Electoral Commission.
3. Identify the structure and functions of the Electoral Commission in their country.
4. Discuss the significance of an Electoral Commission in democratic governance.
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### Materials:
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector/Computer for presentation
- Handouts with key terms and structures
- Video clips/documentaries about Electoral Commissions (optional)
- Notebooks and pens
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### Lesson Outline:
#### Introduction (10 minutes)
- **Warm-Up Activity**: Begin with a quick discussion on recent elections in the country or internationally that students might be familiar with.
- **Question**: Ask students, "Who organizes and oversees these elections?"
- **Objective Sharing**: Explain to students what they will learn today about the Electoral Commission.
#### Direct Instruction (15 minutes)
- **Definition and Purpose**:
- Define an Electoral Commission.
- Explain the importance of an Electoral Commission in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.
- **Roles and Responsibilities**:
- Describe the main responsibilities: voter registration, election day preparations, vote counting, election monitoring, and declaring results.
- Highlight the legal framework and ethical guidelines that Electoral Commissions follow.
#### Structured Information (15 minutes)
- **Structure of the Electoral Commission**:
- Present the typical organizational structure (Chairperson, Commissioners, Secretary, Regional Officers, etc.).
- Use a flowchart to show hierarchy and roles within the commission.
- **Case Study**:
- Briefly explain the structure and function of the Electoral Commission in the students' own country.
- Discuss any notable achievements or controversies associated with the national Electoral Commission.
#### Guided Practice (10 minutes)
- **Group Activity**:
- Divide students into small groups.
- Each group will discuss and list the qualities that make an Electoral Commission effective.
- Groups will then present their findings to the class.
#### Independent Practice (5 minutes)
- **Critical Thinking Exercise**:
- Provide students with a short scenario where an Electoral Commission faces challenges (e.g., allegations of fraud, logistical issues).
- Ask students to write a short paragraph on how the Electoral Commission should address these challenges to maintain credibility.
#### Conclusion (5 minutes)
- **Summary**:
- Recap key points: definition, roles, and significance of the Electoral Commission.
- Encourage students to reflect on how the Electoral Commission influences democratic processes.
- **Questions and Answers**:
- Allow some time for students to ask any questions they might have.
#### Assignment:
- **Homework**:
- Instruct students to research and write a one-page report on an international Electoral Commission of their choice, detailing its structure and recent elections they have overseen.
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### Assessment:
- Participation in discussions and group activities.
- Completion and quality of the independent practice exercise.
- Homework report will be assessed based on understanding, coherence, and detail.
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### Additional Notes:
- Adapt the content and examples to align with current events and the specific electoral laws of the country.
- Encourage students to follow upcoming elections and observe how the Electoral Commission conducts them.