Electronic Transmission Of Results And Election Credibility In Nigeria

Electronic Transmission Of Results And Election Credibility In Nigeria
Abstract
This study investigated electronic transmission of results and election credibility in Nigeria. The independent national electoral commission and use of electronic devices in the conduct of election in Nigeria: a focus on the 2020 governorship election in Edo state. The study examined the reliability and sustainability of the use of electronic devices on the conduct of elections. To provide INEC opportunity, resources and enabling legal framework to address the challenges that are hindering her efforts of conducting free, fair and credible elections in time past. it intends to scrutinize the reliability of electronic devices in the conduct of Elections. It chronicles the electronic devices deployed in the conduct of the 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State, by evaluating the roles and challenges of electronic devices in the conduct of elections. The relevance of the study is to help fill the gap in the framework of the stakeholders, political actors that sustainability of the use of electronic devices in conduct of elections will improve the electoral process and contribute to the extant literature on election management in Nigeria. The survey method was employed in carrying out this research. Questionnaires were administered to elicit answers from sampled respondents in selected Local Governments of Edo State. A total of 485 respondents responded to 41 questions in the questionnaire. To obtain the sample size from the population of study, the Taro Yamane sampling technique was applied. While the respondent’s views were analysed and presented in simple tables of numbers and percentages. The survey data findings reveal from respondents’ responses are that electronic devices influences citizens’ confidence, trust, and participation in elections and ability in its outcome as true reflection of their wishes. Therefore, the reliability and sustainability doubt are the gap this research seeks to fill, with a focus on the 2020 Governorship Election in Edo States. xvii Based on the following findings, the study justifies that electronic device have a role in the conduct of election, electronic devices in the conduct of election have instilled citizen’s confidence in the electoral process in Nigeria, there are challenges and prospects with electronic devices in the conduct of election in Nigeria. That the use of electronic devices and that electronic transmission of election result is doable in Nigeria. Hence following relevant recommendations were proffered, which mainly includes; Strengthening electronic devices research institutions to develop and train the critical mass manpower needs on use of electronic devices for sustainability. Signing into law the 2022 electoral amendment bill in Nigeria (due to its incorporation of use of electronic devices in the conduct of elections. To create or develop infrastructures and home-grown devices. Adopting and adapting electronic devices that are amenable to periodic updates. In furtherance of this, the Diffusion theory was applied to explain the rationale for the use of electronic devices for the conduct of election in Edo state.
Table of Contents
Chapter One:
Introduction
- 1.1 Background to the Study
- 1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
- 1.3 Objective of the Study
- 1.4 Research Questions
- 1.5 Research Hypotheses
- 1.6 Significance of the Study
- 1.7 Scope of the Study
- 1.8 Limitation of the Study
- 1.9 Definition of Terms
- 1.10 Organization of the Study
Chapter Two:
Literature Review
- 2.1 Conceptual Review
- 2.1.1 Overview on the Concept of Electronic devices
- 2.1.2 Nexus between Electronic devices and Conduct of Elections
- 2.1.3 Prospects of Electronic Devices in the Conduct of Election in Nigeria
- 2.1.4 Cyber Security
- 2.1.5 INEC and Electronic Devices in 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State.
- 2.1.6 Challenges of Transition to e-Voting System in Nigeria
- 2.2 Theoretical Review
- 2.1.2 Diffusion of Innovations Theory
- 2.2.2 Technology, Organisation, and Environment (TOE) Theory
- 2.3 Empirical Review
Chapter Three:
Research Methodology
- 3.1 Research Design
- 3.2 Population of the Study
- 3.3 Sample and Sampling Technique
- 3.4 Source and Method of Data Collection
- 3.5 Instrument for data collection
- 3.6 Validation of Instrument
- 3.7 Reliability of the instrument
- 3.8 Method of Data Analysis
- 3.9 Ethical Consideration
Chapter Four:
Data Presentation and Analysis
- 4.1 Data Presentation
- 4.2 Data Analysis
- 4.3 Discussion of Results
Chapter Five:
Summary of Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations
- 5.1 Summary of Findings
- 5.2 Conclusion
- 5.3 Recommendations
- References
- Appendix
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
The recently passed 2021 Electoral Bill in both Chambers of the National Assembly generated a lot of controversies, especially as it relates to the exclusion of the use of electronic transmission of electoral results. This development is adduced to the Nigerian political trajectory which could be traced to the failure to conduct free, fair and credible elections from 1964, resulting in the crisis that has continued to trail the Nigerian electoral process. The quest for “one man, one vote”, a credible election that is devoid of rigging, manipulation of results have culminated in a growing agitation for the introduction and use of electronic devices in the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
Although experts have argued that the introduction and use of electronic devices in Nigeria electoral processes is not an end in itself when compared to countries like Brazil and India, where electronic devices and internet penetration is relatively higher, some political observers insist on the prospect of electronic devices in the electoral process and its many benefits to electoral integrity(Leterme, 2014). The call for the use electronic devices in elections as an ongoing reforms advocacy. By the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in addressing the problematic challenges of trust, is germane in deepening democracy in order to protecting the integrity and credibility of the electoral process in Nigeria. It is an indisputable fact that credible elections are indeed the cornerstone of an ideal democracy but conducting free and fair elections is a very difficult task. In a diverse country like Nigeria, the hard-to-reach logistics issues in terms of materials and manpower involved in the entire process is very complex and challenging to manage. Thus, elections managers need to provide a level playing field to all the players in the game. The entire electoral process should be enhanced with electronic device that create efficiency.
Conducting elections remains a recurring problem of Nigeria electoral process. The credibility and general acceptability of any election outcomes and the legitimacy of the elected government are a function of the transparency, freeness and fairness of the electoral process. The 2007 general elections, for example, appeared to be the most critical in the nation`s efforts to consolidate and sustain the growing democracy(Leterme, 2014).
The challenges of conducting credible elections have stimulated keen interest, because of its role in determining the future of democracy in Nigeria. An attitude of distrust about the achievability of a successful transition are created by the prevailing difficulties confronting the transition process in terms of growing political violence, manipulations of election results etc. The overwhelming challenges confronting INEC in its attempts to conduct credible elections with popularly acceptable outcome. That is devoid of the traditional controversies and crises associated with previous transitional elections, is the major reason for the call for the deployment of electronic devices. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has employed a number of innovative approaches aimed at improving the conduct of elections in the country. As years pass by, INEC gets more sophisticated with its technologies in order to meet up with international standard. In this study the researcher examines the impact of these electronic devices and the effects they have on election activities in Edo State election. Following the introduction of these devices: Electronic Voters Register (EVR), Automatic Fingerprints Identification System (AFIS) and Smart Card Reader (SCR) have reduced the incidence of multiple registration and multiple voting to the barest minimum while the development of e-collation, INEC Result Viewing (IRV) support platform has drastically reduced incidence of result manipulation at collation centres.
The 2020 Edo State gubernatorial election took place on September 19, 2020. The incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki had defected from the All-Progressives Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and won re-election for a second term, defeating in the 3 process, Osagie Ize-Iyamu who had himself earlier defected from the PDP to APC and lost with several minor party candidates. Obaseki received 57.3% of the votes. (Yiaga Africa 2020). Godwin Obaseki had emerged unopposed in the PDP gubernatorial primary after all the aspirants stepped down for him. While Philip Shaibu remained as his running mate. Osagie Ize-Iyamu was the APC candidate with Audi Ganiyu as his running mate(Omotola, 2010).
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) featured Mabel Oboh as candidate. Aboi Lucky Emmanuel stood for ADP in the polls and OsifoUhun-Ekpenma Isaiah represented the Labour Party (LP). In the election, fourteen (14) candidates contested out of which 12 were male, while 2 were female and two of the deputy governorship candidates were female. With new innovations that INEC introduced in 2020 Edo state Governorship election it overcame the challenge of delay in the final collation of results through the use of electronic collation. It saved collation officers the risk of travelling all night to get results submitted for final collation. It also saved INEC some costs. This research seeks to examine the use of electronic devices in the conduct of the 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State. The work is limited to considerations that applies to the use of electronic devices in the conduct of Elections. While the reliability and sustainability ability is the gap this research seeks to fill(Omotola, 2010).
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
Elections have different stages and strategies in place to facilitate the smooth conduct at every stage of the electoral cycles. The application of human skills, less skill staff, all other human errors and manipulations has generated the desire for effectiveness and efficiency in the electoral process. In Nigeria, as conducting credible elections have been one of the main problems of the democratic process (Omotola, 2010). The institutional inability to conduct elections that meets the desired outcomes of the greater percentage of citizens, and the cumulative controversies that follow most election stimulated various concerns from stakeholders. Thus, agitations for the introduction of electronic devises were aimed at reducing or eliminating those problematic areas of the democratic phase. The use of electronic devices in the political processes is the effect or benefits derivable from the deployment of, “ all such devices, such as Computer hardware and software programmes, digital 4 tools, Electronic apparatus as printers, scanners, bar code readers, Communications technologies like mobile phones and SMS applications; e-voting systems including specialized machines; the internet, the internet applications; sensors that are capable of enrolling biometric data of Citizens that are assigned or deployed for managing Elections, political party, voting during the election, participating in the electoral campaign, community affairs and other political activities”(EUUNDP, 2017).
However, there are various phases in the electoral cycle where “some form of new devices can be used. Countries around the Globe, including some new democracies, deploy some forms of electronic voter registration machines, data capturing and identification devices, for the use of biometrics data of Citizens”. (Yinyeh and Gbolagade 2013). Because of the above, there is no reservation as to whether INEC and political experts have made obvious reforms in recent times, hence the focus of this study is on the 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State. The 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State became a reference point with the use of new electronic devices in the conduct of election in Nigeria. It is against this backdrop that the problem this study seeks to answer is what is the reliability and its sustainability of electronic devices in the conduct election in Nigeria?
1.3 Research Objective
The main objective of this study is to investigate electronic transmission of results and election credibility in Nigeria.
Specific objectives include:
- To scrutinize the reliability of electronic devices in the conduct of Elections.
- To chronicle the electronic devices deployed in the conduct of the 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State.
- To evaluate the roles and challenges of electronic devices in the conduct of elections.
1.4 Research Questions
- Do electronic devices play a role in the contemporary conduct of elections?
- Will the use of electronic devices instill citizen’s confidence in the electoral process in Edo State?
- Are there challenges and prospects of electronic devices in the conduct of elections?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The findings of the study will be significant to the following institutions, (EMBs), stakeholders and political actors that sustainability of the usage of electronic devices in conduct of elections will improve the the electoral process. In specific terms and as an expensive undertaking, it requires that the EMB apply the recommendations for the education of stakeholders and mobilization of the needed resources, which in most cases may be beyond the financial capacity of the Nation to bear alone.
The findings of the study will serve as a reference documents or guide for educating elections officials, political party managers and will enhance the citizens participation in the political process. The significance of this research is to fill and model a veritable sustainability approach to the body of knowledge and extant literature, on how the private sector, corporate entities, which requires a stable, peaceful socio-economic, and political environment to operate and thrive, to contribute to meeting the cost of elections in Nigeria. The research findings will be useful to other researchers in understanding the numerous challenges related to the deployment, adoption and adaptation of electronic devices in the conduct of elections, including the huge deficit of infrastructural support and expertise, cost, choice and effectiveness of electronic devices. It is significant as it will help contribute to body of existing knowledge on the use of electronic devices in conducting election in Nigeria, by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by INEC innovations in the 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State. Finally the study will be significant for further research, as it will open up space in addressing the problem of unstable internet penetration and the threat to the security of sensitive election data by cyber warfare and election interference through the use of electronic devices by hackers.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope and focus of this research study was limited to the use of electronic devices in the 2020 Governorship election in Edo State. While the thrust was to analyse the reliability and sustainability of use electronic device in future elections in Nigeria. To achieve this, the scope of the study was limited to three Local Government Areas of Edo State, namely; Ipkoba-Okha, Ovia LGA, South West LGA and Uhunmwonde LGA respectively.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
The research study of this nature has its limitations; encountered some challenges administering the structured questionnaires in eliciting the views of some uncooperative respondents as it concerns the use of electronic devices in the conduct of election in Edo State. In the course of the 7 study other impediments were encountered such as
Time constraints, financial constraints, logistics and lack of relevant information concerning electronic devices in the conduct of election from some respondents.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Edo State:
Edo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria, located in the southern region of the country. Edo State is a diverse state that is predominantly inhabited by the Edo peoples, including the Edo (or Bini), Esan, Oke, Owan and Afemai peoples. Governorship Election: Election held every four years to elect the Governor of the State, who govern and manage in an executive cadre of the State.
Electronic Devices:
Electronic devices include devices such as computer hardware and software programmes; electronic equipment, computers, printers, scanners, bar code readers; communications devices like mobile phones SMS applications; e-voting systems, including specialized voting machines; the internet and internet applications; sensors capable of enrolling biometric data of Citizens, Devices applied in monitoring of political parties’ activities etc.
1.9 Organization of the Study
There are five chapters in this study, the first of which discusses the background, statement of the research problem, aims, research question, and research hypotheses as well as the study’s significance, scope, and limitations. Chapter 2 contains conceptual, theoretical, and empirical reviews. The study methodology is covered in Chapter 3. This chapter covers the research design, the study’s population, the sample size and technique, the data collection source and method, the study’s instruments, the data analysis method, the validity and reliability of the study as well as ethical considerations. Chapter four entails data presentation, data analysis and discussion of findings. Chapter five encompasses summary of findings, conclusion and recommendations.
Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
5.1 Summary
The study examines. independent national electoral commission and use of electronic devices in the conduct of election in Nigeria; a focus on the 2020 governorship election in Edo state. The study also interrogated the trends and trajectory of electronic devices application across some countries around the globe including Nigeria with particular interest in their challenges and prospects. The renewed efforts of INEC and other critical stakeholders in ensuring the deployment of electronic devices in the conduct of election, to advance the Nigeria electoral process, especially in the fourth republic is novel. The clamor for the deployment of electronic devices in elections were aimed at addressing the age long problem of conducting free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria. Deployment, adoption and adaptation of electronic devices using the diffusion of innovation theory framework as discussed became expedient due to the repugnance nature of the Nigerian elections. The objective of this research is to retrospectively trace independent national electoral commission and use of electronic devices in the conduct of election in Nigeria; a focus on the 2020 governorship election in Edo state. Academically, the study scrutinizes the reliability and sustainability of electronic devices in the conduct of election, and chronicled the electronic devices deployed in the conduct of the 2020 Governorship election in Edo State. Then evaluated the roles, challenges of electronic devices in the conduct of election and to contribute to the extant literature or body of knowledge on election matters in Nigeria.
5.2 Conclusion
Based on the results of this research, it is expedient to state that there is need for the use of electronic devices in the conduct of elections as it has always been, centered on a lot of controversies, this development is adduced to the Nigerian political trajectory which could be traced to the failure to conduct free, fair and credible elections from 1964, resulting in the crisis that has continued to trail the Nigerian electoral process. The yeaning’s for credible election that is devoid of rigging, manipulation of results with the desire for electoral outcomes to meet the wishes of the electorates or citizens, have culminated in a growing agitation for the introduction and use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in the conduct of elections in Nigeria. It is an indisputable fact that credible elections are the cornerstone of an ideal democracy, but conducting free and fair elections is a very difficult task. Hence the electoral process should be enhanced with devices that create efficiency, speed and stimulates citizen’s trust
5.3 Recommendation
The research has carefully analysed the data and the findings from respondents and arrived at the reality that there is prospects of electronic devices in conducting elections in Nigeria. Hence the following recommendations are here proposed;
- Strengthen democratic Research institutions such as National Institutes for Legislative and Democratic Studies to provide leadership road map and the needed critical mass that will advance the Nigeria Democracy.
- To sign in into law the 2021 Electoral Amendment Bill to give legislative backing to deployment of electronic devices in the conduct of election and to protect and provide security for election and election matters in Nigeria.
- Create or develop infrastructure and home-grown devices to support election process that will reduce cost of procurement of election tools, equipment’s for monitoring and supporting Pre- election, election –day logistics and post-election activities as done in India.
- Adopt and adapt devices that amenable to periodic update and not one-off thing electronic devices in order to stimulate steady capacity growth and ownership.
- Stimulate public private ownership in election financing of electronic devices adoption and adaptation in Nigeria

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