INEC and our analogue electoral system
Most countries in the world regard periodic and regular elections as a core attribute of democracy. In Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in-charge of the electoral process. They clear eligible persons as candidates to contest various positions, register people who are eligible voters, conduction elections, count ballots and publish the results.
With political positions mostly seen as the quickest route to acquire wealth and power in Nigeria, the competition to gain office has, over the years, had a significant impact on the credibility of the Nigerian electoral systems and their outcomes.
To improve the integrity of the electoral process, former INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, under then President Goodluck Jonathan did a lot. They invested in the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and card reading machines. The new system required that voters be ‘biometrically’ verified before casting their votes. Exponents of the new technology were positive that the innovation would stamp out “broad-daylight rigging of elections”. To further challenge the perennial mistrust and incredulity constantly felt by voters when elections results do not truly represent their true picks, INEC recruited Academics to serve as returning officers during elections.
Four years later, INEC set a new record in the Nigerian electoral cycle by postponing elections few hours to commencement.
When the elections finally took place, it reintroduced the fact that our voting system is still susceptible to voter fraud. Besides viral videos of alleged INEC officials seen committing voter fraud and cases of underage voting in some parts of the country, the arduous method of handcounting ballots and bawling out election results shows that our electoral system is analog. As a consequence, the elections results, as alleged by many, was held up by manipulation and misrepresentation. This is a risk to our system. It is wrong for us to continue to deny or ignore.
In most functional societies or organization, stakeholders know that risk cannot be eliminated. To a degree, the people with vested interest work together to mitigate and bring all risks faced by that organization or country to an acceptable level.
The choice of an electoral system is one of the most imperative institutional decisions for every democracy. The system is likely to have a weighty effect on the future political life of a country concerned, and the results produced by its electoral system. In fact, it is critical to enhancing the integrity of the electoral body.
The electoral system is also a strong determinant of the future of democracy in every nation that has embraced this system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting. Hence, neglecting the underlying rules of elections can affect the practice of democracy.
The solution to Nigeria’s historical election system fraud is not PVC and “card reader tech”. This is because the current system validates voters but lacks the capacity to protect the votes. Like other countries, we need to invest in an electoral system that can validate voters and shield the votes casted.
An intelligent person once said that intelligent people change their views when the facts change. The current system requires upgrade. If we keep using this mechanical electoral system that lacks the technology to guard votes from manipulation, we might keep experiencing credibility issues and disgraceful election cycles.
If INEC is serious about conducting credible elections in Nigeria going forward, then it needs to start working to invest in electoral system that will bring voter fraud to an acceptable level. But again, INEC has always dismissed every suggestion proffered. Ego, they say, hates change.
As Nigerians look forward to casting their votes in the coming governorship, state assembly and area council elections, INEC should use its nonpartisan influence to champion balance and positivity, and not be caught being a mindless advocate of disreputable election cycles.
David Dimas, Laurel, Maryland, U.S.A, ddimas01@yahoo.com