Lessons to learn from the Just concluded Nigeria's 2023 general elections

Lessons to learn from the Just concluded Nigeria's general elections

The 2023 general elections in Nigeria have come and gone, leaving so much in their wake. While the elections saw the emergence of new leaders across the country, various ills plagued the elections which are concerns for the nation’s democracy.

Here are some of the ills of the just-concluded elections in Nigeria:

Election Violence: the elections were marred by a series of violent attacks that resulted in the loss of countless lives and properties. In some areas, there were reports of disruption of both the electoral process and peace that resulted in an unsatisfactory outcome of the polls. Voter Suppression, there were numerous cases in cities like Lagos 

Voter suppression: Another glaring issue of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria was voter suppression, which was most pronounced in areas considered opposition strongholds. Reports of inadequate and malfunctioning voting materials and intimidation tactics employed by some political parties and their members only made matters worse. Election Rigging.

Election rigging is a long-standing issue in Nigerian politics that continues to threaten the democratic process. Reports of rigging and vote buying in the last elections have left many Nigerians disillusioned about the sincerity of the electoral process. Prevalence of Fake News.

Fake News: The increased use of social media platforms by both politicians and the electorate during the election campaign heightened fears that the outcome of the polls could be influenced by fake news. Regrettably, there was no effective check or balance for the proliferation of fake news which served to mislead gullible voters. Inadequate Security.

Inadequate Security: The success of any electoral process rests significantly on providing adequate security for voters and polling stations. However, the 2023 general elections in Nigeria were characterized by inadequate security measures that made it easy for political thugs to disrupt the electoral process.

Asides from the ills listed above, there were also reports of ballot box snatching, underage voting, and late arrival of electoral materials in some polling stations. These issues further undermine the credibility of the electoral process and the legitimacy of elected officials.

Furthermore, there were concerns about the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring a transparent and credible election. Some opposition parties accused INEC of bias towards the ruling party, citing instances of canceled elections and the non-inclusion of their candidates on the ballot.

The elections also revealed the deep-seated political and ethnic divides in the country, with some regions recording low voter turnout due to fears of violence and insecurity. This highlights the need for the government to address the root causes of insecurity and promote national unity and inclusivity.
In conclusion, while the 2023 general elections in Nigeria succeeded in providing new leaders for the country, the many ills clearly highlight the need for electoral reform. The government needs a credible electoral process that is free and fair, with strict measures to address critical issues such as election violence, voter suppression, fake news, and election rigging. Only then can Nigerians begin to believe in the integrity of their democratic process.

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