As I set about writing this piece about another ‘ambitiously utopian’ idea of my ideals of a new Nigeria, I could not help yielding myself to the sordid distraction of the gruesome images of the 2023 elections.
And so there I sat, pen frozen in my hand, viewing helplessly on a mental screen in front of me, the unfolding diorama of gory images: orchestrated brigandage, violence, chaos and blood; all of which attesting to the shame of the biggest black nation in the world.
How much lower could human beings get in their bid to cling to power or in pursuit of it? How could a handful of people mock and take us all for a ride while we watched as though hamstrung? These were my thoughts as I reflected on what played out on February 25, 2023.
But then March 18, 2023 happened. It simply defied understanding. The shameless assaults and downright complicity of law enforcement agents, the naked intimidation, suppression and chaos that took place in many parts of the country were simply mind-boggling.
Voters were roundly intimidated and prevented from voting: especially those perceived to be non indigenes. And then perhaps rather shockingly people I thought were respected, respectable and educated threw caution to the wind and began to make hate speeches that could set the city on fire. As I watched the unfolding madness my mind wandered to Rwanda and I shouted to myself: No, we must not stand by and watch things get out of hand!
In my nearly 64 years of existence I have never seen anything more shameful than the 2023 elections.
INEC clearly has activated a certain automatic failure mechanism by its own guidelines. For example, one of its guidelines states that in the event of disruption occasioned by violence and ballot box snatching, elections must be canceled in such units. Unfortunately, by this INEC gives corrupt and do-or-die politicians the leeway to sponsor violence, voter suppression and intimidation in areas perceived as their opponents’ strongholds.
This particular guideline which fails to provide punishment or deterrence is not only INEC’s albatross but is also a grave disservice to the nation and most unjust to disenfranchised voters.
Now what is virtual voting? It is a simple electoral system that enables voters to cast their ballots using electronic devices such as phones, tablets, computers or specially produced electronic voting devices without presenting themselves to a physical location.
This has become expedient since do-or-die politicians have adopted violence as a survival strategy. This will totally hamstring their win-at-all-costs antics.
Virtual voting is essentially driven by a simple technology akin to the sort used by banks, telecom and social media tech companies. Virtual voting has a number of advantages apart from eliminating violence:
- It will encourage mass participation in our electoral process, as fear of being ‘violated’ by political miscreants is eliminated.
- The registration process will be simplified as voters register using their NIN or BVN. Registered voters are issued a ‘printable’ voter’s card with their unique PIN (Personal Identification Number).
- The entire country will be carefully mapped out and polling units increased to over 300,000 such that each unit accommodates up to 500 voters. This will make room for all eligible voters to vote virtually. Each unit is expected to display names of voters when accessed.
- Political parties will be able to monitor voting, auto counts and collation in real time.
- Voting will be seamless following basically the same procedure. A voter logs in with their PIN and is verified. The voter is given access to his polling unit. The voter searches for his/her name. Upon finding it, the voter clicks on it and a ballot paper is issued. The voter then scrolls to the party or candidate of his/her choice. The voter clicks on the voting space and submits. The voter receives an alert: ‘Thanks. You have successfully voted.’
- Voting could be staggered over three days and final results announced on the fourth day. There will be no need to shut down the country. Virtual voting is quick and results aggregated within 90 minutes of closing polls.
Yes, there are some concerns about electronic voting. Chief among them is the fear that it could be hacked. However, research has revealed that loopholes could be identified and plugged.
It is important to note here that electronic voting has worked well in a number of countries. Brazil, for example, (a country with huge population as Nigeria) has fully adopted and used electronic voting since 2010. It is quick and reliable. The results of the 2010 general election were ready within 75 minutes of ending polls.
Some people might have a good laugh after reading my submission and dismiss me as a dreamer. Yes, folks, I admit I am a dreamer. Remember great innovations and breakthroughs are all products of mere dreams.
These are trying times, fellow compatriots. It is time for us all to come together and salvage our country from the path of ruin. It will take only a radical paradigm shift to nip it in the bud.
Nigeria and Nigerians deserve better than this. God bless Nigeria.
- Newton writes via [email protected]
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