Nigeria has over 20 million of its citizens living abroad. Naturally, the amendment of the country’s electoral law to enable citizens to vote, regardless of their country of residence (by the way of diasporan voting), has become a pertinent issue which many believe will feature heavily in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.
While the Presidency and the country’s official elections monitor, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have reiterated their commitment to making this possible, the Nigerian Senate still has lingering questions.
‘Nigerians in Diaspora Deserve Voting Rights’
Following the events of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, announced that the Commission was dedicated to working with the National Assembly to amend the country’s Electoral Act, allowing Nigerians in other countries participate in upcoming polls.
Speaking at the celebration of the 2019 Ekiti Diaspora homecoming reception, she said: “With Nigerians in diaspora contributing so much to the Nigerian economy, estimated at over $25bn in 2018, we believe they deserve to vote for their choice of leaders at home.”
Presidency Support Electoral Law Amendment
Supporting Abike Dabriri-Erewa’s statement, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo stated that the President was on board with an amendment of the Act.
“In the words of President Buhari in Addis Ababa, ‘You will need to convince the National Assembly to amend the relevant laws to make diaspora voting a reality.’ What he was saying in effect is that the ball is now in the court of the National Assembly, the federal government on his part is ready to collaborate with Nigeria Diaspora Voting Council,” he said.
While acknowledging the need for a more concise legal framework, an INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Leki, and the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed their support for diaspora voting, noting that despite current constraints, it remains a possibility.
Senate Has Its Doubts
In an interview with Punch, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs in Nigeria, Senator Ajibola Basiru, explained that while the Senate was not against the progressive proposal, there are several questions that lack credible answers.
The Senator highlighted issues like the lack of accurate data of Nigerians in the diaspora, asking if undocumented Nigerians who emigrate illegally allowed to vote. He also noted that there is no answer to whether Nigerian citizens in the diaspora would be eligible to vote in all the elections the country holds, pointing out that the country also lacks proper verification methods to ensure that people would be voting for the right state and constituency leaders.
Why It Matters
While the idea of diaspora voting seems ideal and right for Nigeria, it would be naïve to remain oblivious to the fact that the country is not ready for this particular process.
Last year’s general elections, which were marred by violence, voter suppression, allegations of ballot stuffing and election fraud, proves that there is still a lot to be dealt with when it comes to the country’s electoral process and something as complex as diasporan voting, now, may have negative consequences.
