Following the record-making influence the mail-in ballot system had on the recently concluded US presidential elections, the people of Nigeria are calling for a change heading into the 2023 polls, but several structural challenges might make this difficult.
America, arguably the world’s largest democracy, successfully conducted one of the biggest general elections of the year. Despite early doubts surrounding the chances of an effective electoral system in the middle of a global pandemic, the 2020 November 3rd elections proved to be one of the best, yet, with over 140 million votes cast across different states and counties. This record number can be attributed to the country’s mail-in ballot system that provided convenience during a worldwide pandemic.
Allowing voters to receive, vote and return their ballot papers from the comfort of their homes using postal mail, it was gathered that over 90 million Americans voted via mail-in ballots.
Nigeria Debates Possibility Of Mail-In Ballots
With the US elections becoming a salient part of online conversations, Nigerians seem to be fascinated with the possibility of mail-in voting. On social media, jokes and think pieces have been shared, speaking on the success of the mail-in vote system in the US, and its chances of efficiency in Nigeria.
Speaking to pressmen, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Yusuf Buba, called on Nigeria to strengthen existing structures to better ensure a successful 2023 general elections. Citing the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) as one of these structures, the lawmaker said: “Instead of seeking to raise strong men and women, who will rise above institutions like the Electoral management body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the postal services, the police, and other security agencies whenever they see the need to do so. We rather strengthen those institutions so that no one man or group can rise above them, especially during emergencies.”’
Mail-in Ballots And Postal Voting Depend On A Functional And Robust Postal System – INEC
Supporting the lawmaker’s statement, INEC representative, Festus Okoye, in an interview with The Cable, stated that for mail-in ballots to work, a “functional and robust postal system,”as well as an update of the constitution is necessary.
“Our postal system is not in the best shape and did not fundamentally upgrade in line with technological changes in the world. Even in advanced democracies, the postal system still struggles to cope with the volume of mail-in ballots and postal voting,” he said.
Okoye further revealed that the chances of adopting mail-in ballots and postal voting in Nigeria is “rather remote” and will involve “a change in the electoral legal framework.”
Why This Is Important
The Nigerian electoral process still struggles with a lot of logistical issues that have reduced the efficiency of the process, casting shadows of doubt in the minds of voters, as well as candidates. From ballot snatching and poor crowd management to the late arrival of election materials, Nigerian elections are fraught with a myriad of avoidable challenges. A mail-in ballot system that takes a lot of pressure from the electoral commission and extends the voting process, will go a long way in remedying most of these issues.
This story is part of our new series on Nigeria where we analyse electoral and political reform in the country ahead of the next general elections in 2023.
