- Introduction of BVAS and electronic result transmission has not prevented persistent issues like vote buying, suppression, and manipulation.
- Political elites often stall reforms that threaten their influence, like stricter campaign finance laws or transparent party primaries.
Electoral reform in Nigeria has been a recurring subject of public discourse, particularly in the aftermath of general elections that are frequently marred by allegations of irregularities, violence, and voter disenfranchisement.
While the country has made legislative and institutional efforts toward improving its electoral system, meaningful and sustained reforms remain elusive.
A complex interplay of political, institutional, and socio-economic factors contributes to the limited progress in this regard.
Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has embarked on multiple electoral reform initiatives.
These include amendments to the Electoral Act, reconstitution of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), introduction of technological tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and electronic transmission of results.
Despite these efforts, elections have continued to face significant challenges including voter suppression, manipulation of results, vote buying, logistical failures, and intimidation of electoral officers.
Several electoral reform reports, most notably the 2008 Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee Report, have outlined recommendations to improve the integrity of elections.
These include proposals for an independent electoral commission, transparent appointment of electoral officers, political party reforms, and the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission.
Many of these recommendations have either been only partially implemented or remain pending.
A primary impediment to electoral reform in Nigeria is the entrenched interests of political elites who benefit from the deficiencies in the current system.
The process of reform often requires legislative action, typically involving constitutional amendments or passage of new laws by the National Assembly—an institution largely composed of politicians who emerged from the very system in question.
Reforms that promote transparency, accountability, or inclusiveness are often perceived as threats to the power structures that support incumbency.
For instance, stronger enforcement of campaign finance regulations, penalties for electoral malpractice, and stricter rules on internal party democracy may disadvantage political actors who rely on informal or opaque mechanisms to secure electoral victory.
Consequently, reform bills may be delayed, diluted, or rejected outright.
THE ROLE OF INEC AND INSTITUTIONAL AUTONOMY
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections, its operational independence is frequently challenged by issues such as budgetary dependence on the executive and political influence in the appointment of key officials.
The lack of financial and administrative autonomy undermines INEC’s ability to carry out reforms without external interference.
Moreover, the commission faces logistical challenges, including last-minute postponement of elections, security threats in some regions, and difficulties in voter verification and result collation.
These problems reduce public confidence in the system and further weaken support for reform.
WEAK LEGAL ENFORCEMENT AND ELECTORAL OFFENCES
Nigeria’s legal framework provides for the prosecution of electoral offences such as vote buying, ballot box snatching, and falsification of results.
However, enforcement remains weak. Convictions are rare, and many offenders are not prosecuted, often due to political interference, lack of evidence, or institutional inertia.
The absence of accountability creates a perception of impunity and reduces the deterrent effect of legal provisions.
The long-standing proposal to establish an Electoral Offences Commission aims to address this gap, but progress has been slow.
The delay in establishing such a body reflects broader resistance to reforms that could introduce legal consequences for politically connected individuals.
PUBLIC DISENGAGEMENT
Political polarization in Nigeria also hampers reform efforts. Electoral reform debates often become politicized, with parties supporting or opposing changes based on anticipated gains or losses rather than national interest.
This environment makes consensus-building difficult and reduces the likelihood of bipartisan support for reform bills.
Additionally, public disengagement and apathy—fueled by repeated electoral disappointments—limit civic pressure for accountability.
While civil society organizations and the media continue to advocate for reform, their efforts are constrained by limited access to resources, regulatory restrictions, and in some cases, threats to personal safety.
BARRIERS
The socio-economic context further complicates electoral reform. High levels of poverty and unemployment create conditions where vote buying becomes an effective political tool.
In communities where basic needs are unmet, short-term material inducements may outweigh long-term democratic ideals.
This dynamic sustains a cycle in which electoral malpractice becomes normalized and reforms are deprioritized.
In Nigeria, the prospects for comprehensive electoral reform are constrained by political self-interest, institutional limitations, and socio-economic challenges.
While there is broad public awareness of the need for reform, the mechanisms for achieving it are hindered by a lack of political will, weak enforcement systems, and fragmented civic engagement.
Unless these structural barriers are addressed, the cycle of flawed elections and unmet reform promises is likely to persist under current political interests.
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