This post highlights the key points to note about the use of electronic voting systems in Nigeria by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Electronic voting systems, also known as e-voting, have been adopted in various countries around the world to help improve the efficiency and accuracy of the voting process.
However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to adopting electronic voting systems in Nigeria. In this article, we are going to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using electronic voting systems in Nigeria, especially for the fist time in 2023 federal elections.
Nigeria is one of the countries that have adopted electronic voting systems, and it has yielded positive results. The use of EVS in Nigeria has several advantages, which we will explore below.
Electronic voting systems are much faster and more efficient than traditional paper-based manual voter accreditation systems. Electronic voting machines can count votes automatically, which saves time and eliminates the need for manual counting, which can take several days or even weeks.
This can help reduce the time and resources required for vote counting, and ultimately speed up the electoral process. In Nigeria, electronic voting systems have been shown to reduce the time needed to collate and announce election results, which has led to more efficient electoral processes.
Electronic voting systems can help increase the transparency of the electoral process. Electronic voting machines record each vote in real-time and store them in a secure database. This makes it easier to audit the results of an election, as every vote is recorded and can be easily traced.
Additionally, electronic voting systems can help prevent electoral fraud, as the machines are designed to prevent multiple voting and other forms of election malpractice.
If done weel, electronic voting systems are more accurate than traditional paper-based systems. The machines are designed to prevent errors such as over-voting or under-voting, which can occur with paper ballots.
The use of electronic voting machines can also help reduce the number of invalid votes, as the machines can reject votes that are improperly marked or ambiguous. This can help ensure that the results of an election are accurate and reliable.
Electronic voting systems ( EVS) can be designed to be more accessible to voters with disabilities or other special needs. For example, electronic voting machines can be equipped with features such as audio prompts, large font sizes, or tactile interfaces to help visually-impaired voters cast their votes.
This can help ensure that every eligible voter is able to participate in the electoral process, regardless of their physical abilities.
Electronic voting systems can help reduce the cost of conducting elections. While the initial cost of acquiring electronic voting machines or developing the information technology (IT) infrastructures can be high, the overall cost of conducting an election can be reduced at long-run.
Electronic voting machines can help reduce the cost of printing and distributing paper ballots, hiring election officials, and transporting ballot boxes. Additionally, electronic voting machines can be used repeatedly, which can help reduce the cost of conducting subsequent elections.
Electronic voting systems are more secure than traditional paper-based systems. Electronic voting machines can be designed to prevent tampering and hacking, which can help prevent election fraud.
Additionally, electronic voting machines can be equipped with features such as encryption and authentication to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to the servers and the data they contain.
Electronic voting systems can help improve voter confidence and reduce voter apathy in an electoral season. By increasing efficiency, accuracy, transparency, and accessibility, electronic voting systems can help voters feel more confident that their votes will be counted accurately and that the electoral process is fair and free from manipulation. This can help increase voter turnout and overall participation in the electoral process.
Despite the fact that EVS have recorded some success however, it also has several disadvantages that make it unsuitable in the current Nigeria democracy. Below are some of the disadvantages of using EVS in Nigeria.
The first disadvantage of electronic voting systems in Nigeria is the country’s lack of technical capacity. The majority of Nigerians lack technical expertise, making it difficult for them to understand how it works. Electronic voting systems require a high level of technical expertise, from software installation to the configuration of servers and other hardware components.
Therefore, the majority of Nigerians are not equipped to handle electronic voting systems effectively, which could lead to errors or malfunctions during the election process, unless the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will hire foreign IT companies or consultants to manage the voting system.
Moreover, the infrastructure necessary to support EVS is insufficient. Nigeria’s power supply is inconsistent, with frequent power outages and fluctuations, making it difficult to sustain the necessary electrical power supply or internet connection for electronic voting machines. This lack of consistent power supply and poor network connections could cause electronic voting machines to malfunction or shut down, which could disrupt the electoral process.
Another disadvantage of EVS is the potential for hacking and cybersecurity threats. Electronic voting machines are susceptible to hacking, malware, and other forms of cyber attacks, which could compromise the integrity of the election results. In Nigeria, cybersecurity is still a significant challenge, and the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure is not robust enough to defend against sophisticated cyber attacks.
In 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) disclosed that it had identified 1,119 suspected cyberattacks against its website during the general election. The commission said that although none of the cyberattacks succeeded, it had raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Thus, electronic voting systems in Nigeria could be at a significant cybersecurity risk that could compromise the country’s electoral process.
Another significant disadvantage of electronic voting systems in Nigeria is the high cost of acquiring and maintaining infrastructure. Electronic voting machines are expensive, and Nigeria’s economy is not strong enough to support the cost of acquiring and maintaining such machines.
Nigeria has over 84 million registered voters, which means that the country would require a vast number of electronic voting machines to conduct free and fair elections. This cost would include not only the acquisition and maintenance of the machines but also the training of personnel to operate and maintain them.
Furthermore, electronic voting machines require regular software updates and upgrades to maintain their efficiency, which could incur additional costs. Therefore, EVS could be a significant drain on the country’s limited financial resources, which could have a negative impact on the economy.
Another disadvantage of electronic voting systems in Nigeria is the lack of transparency in the voting process. Electronic voting machines are not as transparent as the traditional paper-based voting system, which makes it difficult to audit the election results. In Nigeria, the lack of transparency in the electoral process has been a significant issue, and electronic voting machines could exacerbate this problem.
Base on the 2023 election results, the lack of transparency could create a perception of bias or favoritism, which could lead to public mistrust of the electoral process. This lack of trust could cause people to lose faith in the democratic process, which could have severe consequences for the stability of the country, considering what is happening in other African country where democratically elected governments failed the people.
Another disadvantage of EVS in Nigeria is the country’s high illiteracy and low levels of education. Illiteracy is a significant problem in Nigeria, with over 50% of the population being illiterate. This is where voter education comes in.
Voter education is an important aspect of any democracy, as it helps to inform citizens about their rights and responsibilities as voters, as well as how to participate in the electoral process. In Nigeria, voter education has been identified as a critical component of efforts to promote free, fair and credible elections.
One of the key challenges in Nigeria has been low levels of voter turnout, particularly among young people. To address this challenge, a number of initiatives have been implemented by party candidates to increase voter education and awareness.
The use of EVS in Nigeria has many advantages, including improved efficiency, increased transparency, improved accuracy, increased accessibility, reduced cost, enhanced security, and improved voter confidence.
While there may be some challenges to the implementation of electronic voting systems, these advantages make it clear that electronic voting systems are an essential tool for improving the electoral process in Nigeria.
As Nigeria continues to grow and develop, it is important to adopt new technologies and methods to improve governance and democratic processes, and electronic voting systems are a critical part of this effort.
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