As Nigeria begins the process of easing lockdowns to attempt resuming normal activities in the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission has released a policy guideline to help states respond adequately to the challenges of conducting elections in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also serves as a guide for engaging with stakeholders during elections and to ensure the safety of citizens exercising their civic rights.
What is contained in this new policy?
On Governorship and By-Elections in Nigeria
The dates for the Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States in the southern part of Nigeria will remain 19th September 2020 and 10th October 2020 respectively. However, bye-elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Plateau States, as well as other bye-elections that could not hold in the wake of the pandemic will be announced at later dates.
Election as an Essential Service for Nigeria
The Independent National Electoral Commission with the legislature and any other relevant authority, to designate elections as an essential service. This will help the commission to function fully and effectively in times of national emergency. It will also Integrate its various planning and monitoring tools – Election Risk Management (ERM), Election Management System (EMS) and Electoral Operations Support Centre (EOSC) into a robust system to ensure the effective delivery of services. COVID-19 will also be made mainstream in election risk mapping tools like the Election Risk Management (ERM) and Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool (EVMAT).
Voter Code of Conduct
The commission is developing a Voter Code of Conduct (VCC), a document that will guide voters on how to conduct themselves at polling units in order to avoid getting infected. It will collaborate with the NCDC and other public health institutions at the local and state level to ensure proper education of voters. The Continuous Registration of Voters (CVR) has been suspended for the time being to prevent health risks.
Let’s All PEP Online
The commission has also advised that all Pre-Election Preparation (PEP) activities shall be conducted online but, in the event, that face-to-face activities are totally necessary, the protocols for COVID-19 prevention including social distancing and use of face masks should be followed.
At the Polling Units
The Polling Units will be designed to meet standard public health protocol, face masks are compulsory for every staff of the commission and voters or observers. A two-tier queuing system will be created, one outside and the other at the voting area. The commission is also creating more polling units to reduce congestion. Tags and twines may be used to ensure crowd control and maintenance of social distance. Polls will commence at 8:30 am and close at 2.30 pm.
Introduction to Electronic Voting
Electronic Voting will be introduced in the electoral process at the earliest possible time, but its full implementation will only take effect in 2021.
What Else Will Happen Online?
Observer groups will henceforth be required to do their accreditation online. Political parties submitting nomination forms for candidates or submission of party agent lists as well.
Bottomline for Nigeria
This new guideline will not only affect how elections are conducted now but after the era of the covid19 pandemic especially with the introduction of electronic voting whose prospects now appear closer. The challenge with moving everything online, however, may be the ability of citizens or observer groups to do so.
This story is part of our new series on Nigeria where we analyse electoral reform in the country ahead of the next general elections in 2023.
