How Nigeria Can Run Transparent, Intimidation-Free Elections

By Newspot Nigeria Editorial Desk

What We Can Learn From Polling Practices That Work

Elections should be the heartbeat of any democracy—calm, credible, and reflective of the people’s will. But for too long, Nigerians have approached elections with a mix of anxiety, frustration, and resignation.

From ballot snatching and vote-buying to delayed results and court battles that stretch into new administrations, it’s clear that something must change. The good news? There’s a roadmap. Around the world, countries have shown how elections can be safe, transparent, and trusted—if the right systems are in place.

Take the United States, for instance. It’s not perfect, but many of its polling practices offer real-world solutions Nigeria can adapt. With local election judges (similar to Nigeria’s presiding officers), detailed checks and balances, and strong legal consequences for intimidation, elections run with less fear and more trust.

So, what practical steps can Nigeria take—starting now?

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1. Make INEC Truly Independent

If the people running an election can be appointed—or dismissed—by those contesting in it, there’s a problem.

In the U.S., election officials are independent. In Nigeria, INEC must move in that direction too.

That means:

• Taking appointment powers out of the hands of any sitting president.
• Setting up a neutral selection committee with input from the judiciary, civil society, and professional groups.
• Letting State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) run local polls more independently, with INEC providing oversight—not micromanagement.

INEC shouldn’t just be called “independent”—it must actually function that way.

2. Train Presiding Officers as Protectors, Not Just Poll Clerks

In the U.S., election judges aren’t just handing out ballots—they’re trained to stop intimidation, enforce rules, and maintain peace. They can remove troublemakers, assist voters with disabilities, and report misconduct on the spot.

In Nigeria, presiding officers should be equipped with that same authority and training.

What should that look like?

• Officers announcing every step of the process—out loud and clearly.
• Keeping proper incident logs for INEC and security agencies.
• Working alongside neutral police units who are there to protect voters, not candidates.

When the person in charge of your polling unit is well-trained, confident, and protected, voters feel safer. And so does the vote.

3. Stop Intimidation Before It Starts

In many U.S. states, there’s a 100–200-foot buffer around polling stations—no campaigning, no posters, no party T-shirts. In Nigeria, this rule is often ignored or nonexistent.

We need to enforce something similar:

• No party materials or slogans within 100 meters of a polling station.
• No loitering by “boys” waiting to “defend votes.”
• Hotline numbers people can call if they feel unsafe, with a rapid-response team ready.

People should never feel afraid to cast their vote. Period.

4. Use Technology That Voters Can Actually Trust

Let’s not forget 2023. The technology looked promising, but when it failed to upload results in real-time, it caused panic and suspicion. People don’t trust tech that disappears when it matters most.

Here’s how to fix that:

• Make electronic transmission from polling units mandatory by law.
• Audit the results—publicly.
• Penalize tampering, manipulation, or “technical glitches” as serious crimes, not excuses.

Trust isn’t built with gadgets. It’s built when people know that tech is working for them, not against them.

5. Make Voting Easier—Not Harder

In the U.S., you can vote early, vote by mail, or even vote curbside if you can’t walk in. It’s all about flexibility and safety.

In Nigeria?

• Let’s allow early voting for people who serve (military, election staff), seniors, and persons with disabilities.
• Pilot diaspora voting at embassies—especially for presidential elections.
• Make sure every voter is verified through NIN-linked records—no duplicates, no confusion.

More access = fewer problems.

6. Open the Process to the Public Eye

Why do we fear observers? If the process is clean, it should be visible.

Let’s:

• Encourage more journalists, civil society groups, and accredited observers at polling and collation centers.
• Equip volatile polling units with solar-powered CCTV or body cameras on officials.
• Let citizens upload timestamped video clips to INEC’s secure portal if they witness misconduct.

Elections don’t need to be hidden. In fact, they shouldn’t be.

7. Resolve Disputes Before Winners Are Sworn In

One of Nigeria’s most frustrating patterns is that electoral disputes take months—even years—to resolve. Meanwhile, the person being challenged is already in office.

We need:

• A 45-day maximum for deciding all election petitions.
• Full public access to tribunal judgments, written and signed.
• Penalties for anyone abusing the system with deliberate delays.

A country that can announce results in 48 hours should not take 8 months to confirm if they’re valid.

8. Educate Voters Before the Ballot

Voters are too often confused by procedures. That’s not their fault—it’s ours.

INEC must partner with:

• Local radio stations, religious leaders, teachers, and market associations.
• Civic educators trained to teach in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Pidgin, and other local languages.
• Simple guides, step-by-step illustrations, and mock voting sessions.

An informed voter is harder to deceive—and harder to silence.

9. Clean Up the Voter Register—And Keep It Clean

The voter roll is the foundation. If it’s flawed, the whole process shakes.

INEC should:

• Publish a provisional list weeks before elections for public verification.
• Cross-check the register with NIN and BVN databases.
• Allow people to update or fix errors easily—especially online.

Let every eligible Nigerian see their name before Election Day—not be surprised when it’s missing.

10. Reforms Mean Nothing Without Political Will

We can talk technology, law, and procedure all day—but if the political class doesn’t want change, it won’t happen.

That’s why Nigeria needs:

• An Electoral Offenses Commission to punish vote rigging and intimidation.
• A firewall between INEC and political influence.
• Citizens and institutions bold enough to demand reform—and follow through.

Final Word: We Know What to Do. Now We Must Do It.

The path to clean elections isn’t a mystery. Other countries have figured it out—and Nigeria has all the tools and talent it needs.

We just need the will to change.

Elections should not be war. They should not be feared. They should not be settled in courts. They should be clear, fair, and final.

Let’s raise the standard—not just for 2027, but for every election moving forward.

This editorial draws on international best practices, including the role of election judges in the United States, and is offered in the interest of democratic reform and credible elections in Nigeria.
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