Adopting Electronic Voting in Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Towards Mitigating Violence, Reducing Costs, and Enhancing Transparency

Local government is the closest tier of governance to the people in Nigeria, which has to be democratically governed, as outlined in Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution. However, the issue of caretaker committees to run these councils has generated serious controversies in many states, if not all. Consequently, on July 11, 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that federal allocations could no longer be made to local governments administered by caretaker committees. This decision has compelled at least 14 states, including Kano, Kaduna, and Rivers, to prepare for local government elections.

Given Nigeria's socio-economic challenges and security concerns, traditional manual voting systems have proven inadequate. The rising cost of conducting elections, logistical inefficiencies, and recurrent electoral violence have prompted calls for electoral reform. Electronic voting (e-voting) presents a viable alternative that can address these issues by enhancing transparency, reducing costs, and mitigating violence.

Local government elections in Nigeria are often marred by violence, with competition for power at the grassroots level leading to tensions. Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and disabled, face significant risks when participating in physical elections. By adopting e-voting, the need for large gatherings at polling units is minimized, reducing the risk of violence. Digital platforms, biometric verification, and encrypted votes provide a safer environment for both voters and electoral officials.

The cost of conducting manual elections continues to rise. Expenses tied to voter registration, deploying officials, transporting materials, and counting votes are overwhelming for many local governments. E-voting offers a cost-effective solution by digitizing key elements of the election process, from voter registration to vote tabulation. Using AI and real-time data analysis, e-voting can streamline operations, reduce human error, and lower operational costs. Governments can then redirect these savings to critical areas like healthcare, infrastructure, and education.

Electoral fraud and the lack of transparency have eroded public trust in Nigeria's electoral process. E-voting enhances transparency by providing real-time monitoring, data accuracy, and automated vote tabulation. Biometric technologies such as fingerprint and facial recognition ensure that only eligible voters participate, reducing the chances of fraud. Independent observers can also verify the accuracy of the process, fostering greater public trust in election results.

Countries like Brazil, India, and Namibia have successfully implemented e-voting systems. Nigeria can learn from these examples by clarifying the voting process, engaging state institutions to leverage existing infrastructure, and conducting phased implementation. Inclusivity for persons with disabilities and comprehensive voter education will be essential for ensuring a smooth transition to e-voting.

As Nigeria prepares for local government elections following the Supreme Court's ruling, adopting e-voting is a necessary step toward achieving peaceful, transparent, and cost-effective elections. By mitigating violence, reducing costs, and enhancing transparency, e-voting can strengthen grassroots democracy and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system. Now is the time for policymakers and stakeholders to collaborate in making this transformation a reality.