E-Voting ‘ll Curb Voter Apathy, Electoral Violence in Nigeria — Digital Expert

 

Electronic voting could significantly reduce voter apathy, electoral violence and distrust in Nigeria’s electoral process if properly designed and implemented, a digital technology expert, Timothy Ajekigbe, has said.

Ajekiigbe, the Chief Executive Officer of Uplinx Digital Innovations Limited, said Nigeria’s major challenge was not the availability of technology but the political will to deploy it in a manner that would guarantee the credibility of elections.

He spoke with journalists on the sidelines of a training programme organised by the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship International, South-west, Kwara Zone 7, for chapter presidents and field representatives at Covenant Suites Hotel, Fate Road, Ilorin, Kwara State.

According to him, the fear of violence and other challenges associated with conventional polling could discourage many eligible voters from participating in elections.

He argued that an effective electronic voting system could make the voting process more convenient and accessible, thereby encouraging more Nigerians to exercise their civic rights.

“If we embrace electronic voting, definitely all these doubts and all of that will not be seen near our elections again. That is number one. Number two, we are also going to see an improvement in the integrity of our nation,” he said.

Ajekigbe maintained that Nigeria already possessed the technological expertise and human resources required to develop an electronic voting system, stressing that the major obstacle was the willingness of political stakeholders to embrace a system that could make electoral manipulation more difficult.

“In my own opinion, I think the politicians are afraid that if we are to go by free and fair elections, many of them will not be voted for. They are afraid that they are going to lose their seats and then they want to create an environment where an election can be rigged and manipulated,” he said.

He, however, said electronic voting would only achieve its desired objective if political actors were willing to respect the choices of voters.

“If all of us are ready to abide by the votes cast by the people, I believe that we will embrace electronic voting,” he added.

The digital expert further argued that electronic voting could strengthen public confidence in elections by ensuring that votes were properly recorded and counted.

“People will know that it’s a vote that is counted, not what they gave us,” he said.

Ajekigbe also highlighted the potential of electronic voting to increase participation among Nigerians who are unable to vote at their usual polling locations.

“Because if I know that I can vote anywhere I am, whether I’m outside the country or I’m in the country, I can still vote, we’re going to experience a lot of people being encouraged to vote,” he said.

While acknowledging concerns over poor internet connectivity, particularly in rural communities, he said the challenge could be addressed through the use of technologies capable of operating without continuous internet access.

“It could be a challenge, but it’s not a challenge that cannot be solved. It can be solved,” he said.

According to him, some electronic systems can function offline and synchronise data once network connectivity becomes available.

“We also have technology where these can be done offline. And when they get to where there is network, it is uploaded. So we can really explore different means,” he explained.

Ajekigbe also rejected the argument that illiteracy would prevent Nigerians from adopting electronic voting, saying simple interfaces could be designed to accommodate voters with limited literacy.

“There are people that are illiterate. I believe all of them still make calls and make use of telephone. So, yes, we can just say, press this number… We can explore different kinds of things and get it done, no matter where,” he said.

He called on electoral authorities and other stakeholders to begin a serious conversation around the gradual adoption of electronic voting, stressing that technology should be deployed to make elections more inclusive, transparent, secure and credible.