Former President Goodluck Jonathan highlights significant flaws in Nigeria’s electoral system, attributing inaccurate vote counts to ghost voters and lack of integrity in electoral officials. He advocates for transparent voter registration and capable leadership in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rectify ongoing issues, underscoring that technology alone cannot resolve these challenges without the will to uphold democracy.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed serious concerns regarding the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system. He attributes the nation’s inability to achieve accurate vote counts to the existence of ‘ghost voters’ and a lack of integrity among electoral officials. During the YIAGA Africa Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections, Jonathan emphasized that without trustworthy leadership at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the electoral process will remain dubious.
Jonathan pointed out that the presence of numerous ghost voters impedes the accuracy of vote counts in Nigeria. He insisted that INEC should be led by individuals resistant to political pressure, advocating for officials to resign instead of succumbing to wrongful influence. Jonathan reiterated the importance of integrity, stating, “If you are accepting to be Chairman of INEC… then you should be ready to say, ‘If I’m pressurised to do what is wrong, I will resign and leave.’”
He criticized the electoral process in Nigeria for being distorted by regional and religious biases, which hinder the election of capable leaders. Jonathan claimed that regional interests often overshadow merit, leading to a flawed electoral system. He argued that a transparent voter registration system paired with a strong electoral framework is necessary to ensure that only legitimate voters participate in elections.
Despite recent technological advancements like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), Jonathan pointed out ongoing issues such as logistical failures, technical problems, and voter suppression. He compared Nigeria’s electoral experience with those of Ghana, Liberia, and Senegal, suggesting that excessive reliance on technology often leads to more discontent and conflict.
Jonathan stressed that technology alone is insufficient to resolve Nigeria’s electoral challenges without the willingness of authorities and citizens to uphold electoral integrity. He called for continuous democratic growth within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and encouraged Nigeria to exemplify free and fair elections for the region. Furthermore, he highlighted the significance of youth engagement, robust electoral institutions, and reforms to bolster democracy in West Africa.
In summary, Jonathan’s remarks reveal that Nigeria’s electoral system suffers from integrity issues, with the prevalence of ghost voters and undue political influence playing significant roles. He stressed the urgency of leadership integrity within INEC and the need for a systemic overhaul to foster a credible electoral environment. Jonathan’s emphasis on technology’s limitations and the importance of transparent electoral processes reflects a broader need for democratic reform in Nigeria and West Africa.
Original Source: osundefender.com
