Extant literature is replete with fine-grained explanations of problems of electoral irregularities in developing countries and how it undermines electoral integrity.
One of the obvious electoral irregularities in Nigeria is the problem of ‘ghost voters,’ which often leads to over-voting during elections. This is not peculiar to Nigeria or developing countries. Even advanced democracies face similar challenges with broad implications.
Ghost voters, often a result of inaccurate voter registers and manipulation, have been a challenge in Nigeria’s electoral system, undermining the credibility of polls.
Many experts and analysts have argued that election rigging begins from an unreliable register of voters, suggesting that an election with integrity begins from a voter register with integrity.
Indeed, winning or losing elections can structurally depend on the content of the voters’ register and how it is used during elections.
The most obvious is that the more the number of voters in the voters register from a particular area, the more likely a higher number of votes from that area. Little wonder politicians in some areas influence the registration of “ghost “, ineligible, and sometimes under-aged people on the register.
There are two main reasons for politicians’ interest in manipulating the voters’ register. Other than their apparent desperation to win elections at all costs, politicians negotiate political power and advantages based on the voting strength of their constituency. The higher the number of voters on the voters register in your constituency, the more bargaining powers you have on the power-sharing table. The second and more pungent reason for manipulating the voters’ register is that politicians rig elections by writing the results, which often does not reflect the actual voting during elections. Voter’s register becomes a limitation to the number of votes they can award to themselves or their party.
A state with 2 million registered voters cannot have above 2 million votes, but if it has 7 million registered voters on the voters’ register, the result writers can write up to 6 million votes for themselves or their party. This anomaly is even worse because we have judicial precedence that shows the almost impossibility of proving that elections are rigged based on manipulating the voters’ register.
These reasons have given rise to questioning the integrity of the voters register. Stakeholders, political parties, and civil society all know and acknowledge that our voters’ register is not credible. Moreover, the voters’ register is key to free and fair elections and is at the root of manipulation and rigging of elections.
The impact of voters’ register manipulation and election rigging is enormous. Not only that it subverts the people’s will but forces on the people unscrupulous, morally bankrupt, and inefficient leaders.
However, the system has undergone reforms to make the voters’ register credible, from manual voter registration to biometric, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Advance Automatic Finger Identification System, AAFIS to Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
The Professor Mahmood Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has brought sanity to our voters’ register as seen in the 2023 general and off-cycle elections.
The commission has made significant strides in enhancing the integrity of the electoral process by addressing the longstanding issue of ghost voters. Through proactive measures and innovative strategies, INEC has played a crucial role in reducing the presence of ghost voters, thereby fostering a more transparent and credible electoral system.
Despite the challenges, it was the integrity of the voters’ register that enhanced the credibility of the 2023 elections as confirmed by many international and local observers and institutions.
The British deputy high commissioner to Nigeria during the 2023 election, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, confirmed that the bimodal voting accreditation system (BVAS) reduced over-voting in the poll.
In an interview with Nigeria Info in March 2023, the then UK envoy said there were huge improvements in the election as compared to other polls in previous years.
“Every election must be looked at in terms of the time perspective. From 1999 to 2023, there are huge improvements. The BVAS technology did reduce the amount of over-voting considerably. There was improvement even in the three weeks between the presidential and gubernatorial. And INEC performance, the IRev upload worked much more quickly dramatically than it had, which is good to see,” Llewellyn-Jones said.
Some of the strategies adopted and enhanced include:
Continuous Voter Registration (CVR): INEC initiated a robust Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process to update and cleanse the voter register. The CVR allows eligible citizens to register, while also providing an opportunity to identify and eliminate duplicate or fictitious entries. The commission ensured that this process was accessible and widely publicized, encouraging citizens to participate and verify their registration details.
Biometric Verification: One of the major steps taken by INEC to curb the prevalence of ghost voters was the introduction of biometric verification during elections. By implementing biometric technology, the commission aimed to authenticate voters’ identities through fingerprint and facial recognition, minimizing the possibility of multiple voting or the inclusion of fake voters in the electoral rolls. This technology has proven effective in reducing fraud and enhancing the accuracy of voter identification.
Collaboration with Technology Companies: INEC collaborated with technology companies to develop and implement advanced data management systems. These systems utilize cutting-edge technologies like data analytics and artificial intelligence to identify and eliminate irregularities in the voter register. Through these collaborations, INEC has been able to leverage technological solutions to streamline voter registration processes and ensure the accuracy of voter data.
Civic Education and Public Awareness Campaigns: To further address the issue of ghost voters, INEC invested in civic education and public awareness campaigns. These initiatives aimed to educate citizens about the importance of accurate voter registration and the adverse effects of ghost voters on the democratic process. By fostering a sense of responsibility among the electorate, INEC encouraged citizens to actively participate in the verification and correction of their voter details.
Stakeholder Engagement and Transparency: INEC has actively engaged with various stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, and international observers. This collaboration has facilitated a more transparent electoral process, with stakeholders providing valuable input and oversight. The openness and transparency in the electoral process have contributed to building public trust and confidence in INEC’s efforts to reduce ghost voters.
Without any doubt, the reduction of ghost voters in Nigeria is a testament to INEC’s commitment to electoral integrity and transparency and a demonstration of the leadership led by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to ensure the credibility of the electoral process. Through a combination of technological advancements, public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and continuous voter registration, INEC has made significant progress in minimizing the impact of ghost voters on the democratic process. These efforts not only strengthen the credibility of elections but also contribute to the overall advancement of Nigeria’s democratic governance.
* Philips writes from Lagos.
