My thoughts on electoral reform in Nigeria

ELECTORAL REFORM IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND OPPOURTUNITIES

I count it highly commendable that the organizers of this essay competition deem it fit and proper to give young people a chance and a voice to contribute their own quota to the ongoing national debate on electoral reform. I have actively participated as a registered voter in two general elections, 2003 and 2007.Although this has not conferred on me sufficient experience and expertise to be an authority on electoral reform, however, from the little experience I have, coupled with historical anecdotes of the electioneering process in Nigeria and my own insatiable thirst for knowledge and information through reading and research I will contribute as a young person to this germane issue.
I am tempted at this juncture to ask a couple of questions ,inspired by reading a Sunday article of one of my favourite columnists, Tunde Adegboyega of the nation newspaper that what is the big deal about elections? Is it not just about people casting their votes and for the votes to be sorted, counted and the results announced? Why then has Nigeria persistently failed to get this seemingly simple and straight forward process right? Though electoral misadventures, flaws and outright failures are not peculiar only to Nigeria, it is important to note that advanced countries with well established democracies such as the United States of America have their own Achilles’ heel in the process of conducting elections. Remember the Florida debacle of the hotly disputed 2000 American presidential elections. However, one is apt to conclude that Nigeria has a penchant for getting it wrong all the time. This is precarious because true democracy cannot thrive without well conducted elections.

Credible elections are a constant feature of a vibrant democracy. It is the means where the people of a nation, province or society collectively determine their destiny. They troop to the polling station to elect leaders and representatives for a stipulated period of time. These leaders are expected to deliver on the numerous promises made during campaigning. Simply put, elections give the masses a voice, a chance to critically appraise future representatives and to put those who survive the test into positions of responsibility for a specified period of time. This sacrosanct process is governed by laws containing certain provisions enshrined in a nation’s constitution- the electoral law
The story of elections in Nigeria is a sad one indeed. It is one fraught with numerous twists and irregularities which include outright bias by the “non-independent” electoral umpire (FEDECO, NEC, INEC e.t.c.), rigging, voter intimidation, weak political party structures and other shenanigans. Going down memory lane the election adjudged to be the “freest and fairest” in the annals of Nigeria is that of the 1993 presidential elections won by the late business mogul turned politician Chief Moshood Kashimamwo Olawale Abiola.14 million Nigerian voters trooped out to perform their civic duty, only for the elections to be spuriously annulled by the then military regime led by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd).This rape of democracy in broad day light plummeted the nation into the cesspool of civil unrest and political instability. More recently, the 2007 general elections has been adjudged to be probably the worst in the nation’s history. Numerous tales about gross irregularities and blatant falsification of results have emerged from the various elections petition tribunals sitting all over the federation
To this effect, the President Umaru Musa Yaradua decided to set up an electoral reform committee comprising of eminent Nigerians to fashion out workable electoral reforms with considerable input from the general public.
Electoral reform refers to effort to eliminate undemocratic or corrupt practices in the conduct of public elections. This process is brought about by laws that contain certain provisions to accomplish various ends which include criteria for formation and registration of political parties, regulating how campaign contributions are raised and utilized, outlawing corrupt practices that seek to influence the outcome of elections, process of determination of electoral dispute and how to ensure the true independence of the electoral umpire.
This critical process of electoral reform poses surmountable challenges and prime opportunities for the Nigerian polity. Arguably, the most important challenge is that of ensuring the true independence, fairness and integrity of the electoral umpire. Methinks this is very important because it helps to build the confidence of the electorate in the whole process, thereby stimulating interest and participation. To achieve this I opine that head of this body should be a man or woman of respect and proven integrity whose appointment should be at the behest of the national judicial council or selected from within the rank of judges of the Supreme Court. Also, representatives of registered political parties, labour, civil society and security agencies should have representatives in the electoral commission.
Additionally, there is the challenge of having political parties with a national outlook, which will harmonise the diversity of Nigeria with well defined political ideologies. History has a lesson to teach here. The “freest and fairest” election in our chequered history was within the context of two political parties with a national outlook and well known ideologies- The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Party (NRC).Though I am not a rigid advocate for an enforced two-party system, I believe there should be a restricted number of political parties with provisions for independent candidates. There should be laid down criteria for the formation and registration of political parties, such criteria should include a national outlook and a well defined ideology.
Our geography, especially the expanse of our land mass poses a challenge worthy of consideration. How? It presents logistical and organizational challenges in the conduct of elections. At present multiple elections are conducted on the same day across the nation. Our present level of technology and infrastructural base can not accommodate this, hence incidents of failure or late delivery of electoral materials, inadequacy of electoral officers and deficient security arrangement. The challenge can be surmounted by holding elections in each geo-political zone on separate days. This will enhance planning, execution and monitoring of elections.
Financing elections and electoral campaigns are knotty issues as well. The Electoral commission should not be tied to the apron strings of the executive through finance. Disbursement of money for the smooth running of elections should not be at the whims and caprices of the executive, rather constitutional provision should be made for its deduction from the federation account. It will go a long way in granting autonomy to the electoral commission. Also, contributions of individuals and corporate bodies to political parties should be pegged at certain figures. Moreover, the overall campaign budget for respective political parties for each contested position should be pegged, and funding of political parties by the government should be dissuaded entirely.
One the glaring fallouts of the last general elections are the spate of election petitions being determined by various tribunals across the country. This has resulted in the loss of uniformity in the duration of time spent in office by similar political office holders. Election petitions should be swiftly determined uniformly across the country within a stipulated period before swearing-in of winners. A case in point is the swift determination of disputed 2000 American presidential election by the United States Supreme Court.
The enactment of proper electoral laws and guidelines alone do not translate to the conduct of proper elections. Rather it is the enforcement of such laws coupled with the will and drive of all stakeholders to abide and live by such laws that counts. Without a resolute resolve to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections by politicians and major stakeholders, the whole process of electoral reform will be futile. This must be backed by motivated, unbiased law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to implement. This challenge must be surmounted before the electoral reform process can be a success.
However, amidst these gargantuan challenges lie golden opportunities to build a virile democracy on the solid foundation of proper elections. Opportunities come usually disguised as hard work. Hard work is required by all and sundry to unearth these opportunities and to tap into them for a brighter rewarding future.
The electoral reform process presents a golden chance to re-ignite the interest of Nigerians in participating in future elections. Many Nigerians are disenchanted and do not see a need to vote, since the belief is that their votes do not count is widespread. This all embracing process of electoral reform will stimulate debate and ginger Nigerians to contribute, thereby enhancing interest. Interest can be further reinforced through the implementation of various submissions made by Nigerians. The Nigerian polity will be better of for this and we would all be winners.
Furthermore, electoral reform will set the country on the path of political stability, which is a prerequisite for the overall socio-economic development. It boosts the confidence of investors, both local and foreign and it will send positive signals about our desire to do business to the international community. Moreover, the battered reputation of the country within the international community will be laundered and we will draw closer in taking our rightful leadership role in Africa and the world.
Electoral reform present a unique opportunities to address and redress past injustice and to correct previous mistakes and misdeeds, while laying a foundation to prevent the re-occurrence of such in future. It represents a chance to give minority ethnic groups to contribute and be heard in issues that determine their destiny. It also presents a chance to lay a foundation of hope for future generations out the ashes and ruin of the past. Generations yet unborn will celebrate us and be thankful if we get this process right. Enough motivation, isn’t it?
The conclusion of the whole matter is this; Nigeria is at crossroads, at a tipping point in our collective history. We have to get this process of electoral reform right. Unparallel unity of purpose is vital and uncommon drive to implement is critical. Failure is not an option. Nigeria must win. so help us God.