Barrister Festus Okoye Unveils Nigeria’s Electoral Reform Journey on ‘Electoral Reform Hour’
Barrister Festus Okoye, a distinguished human rights lawyer and former National Commissioner of INEC, offered a compelling overview of Nigeria’s electoral reform journey since 1999 on ‘Electoral Reform Hour.’ Speaking to a nationwide audience, Okoye detailed the evolution of the electoral process, highlighting both significant strides and persistent challenges that have shaped Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
Barrister Festus emphasized the dramatic increase in registered voters, growing from over 57 million in 1999 to more than 84 million by 2019. While this surge indicates growing democratic engagement, it also brings logistical challenges, particularly in managing large voter turnouts in congested areas. He praised INEC’s efforts to introduce additional voting points but acknowledged that more needs to be done to ensure that voters in remote areas are not disenfranchised due to logistical constraints.
A key achievement in Nigeria’s electoral reform, as highlighted by Barrister Festus , is the adoption of the electronic voters’ register and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). These innovations have significantly bolstered the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. However, he pointed out that the digital age has brought new challenges, particularly in engaging voters who increasingly rely on social media for information. He stressed the need for INEC to modernize its voter education strategies to remain relevant and effective in reaching the electorate.
Barrister Festus also cautioned against the potential pitfalls of holding all elections on a single day, advocating instead for a staggered approach to reduce the risk of a constitutional crisis. He addressed the issue of declining voter turnout, linking it to both the technological advancements that have curtailed multiple voting and the ongoing concern of electoral violence, which continues to deter voter participation.
Barrister Okoye’s insights underscored the progress Nigeria has made in strengthening its electoral system, while also highlighting the ongoing need for reforms to ensure that the country’s democratic process remains robust, inclusive, and credible. His commentary provided listeners with a comprehensive understanding of where Nigeria stands in its electoral reform journey and what lies ahead on the road to deepening its democracy.
LISTEN TO THE FULL DISCUSSION HERE