Barrister Kemi Okenyodo Discusses Election Security Challenges on ‘Electoral Reform Hour’
Barrister Kemi Okenyodo, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative also known as Partners West Africa-Nigeria (PWAN), was the featured guest on the latest edition of Electoral Reform Hour, a program dedicated to fostering discussions around electoral reforms and enhancing election security in Nigeria. Hosted by Ezenwa Nwagwu, the program, which is supported by the MacArthur Foundation, explores the pressing need for reforms in Nigeria’s electoral process to ensure fair and transparent elections.
During the conversation, Barrister Kemi Okenyodo highlighted several enduring challenges plaguing election security in Nigeria. She discussed how issues such as ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, and misuse of security personnel continue to undermine the credibility of elections. While she acknowledged that reforms have curtailed some of these problems, such as limiting politicians’ security escorts at polling units, the misuse of security forces remains a concern, especially at collation centers.
Barrister Kemi also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security, which, according to her, functions well at the national level but lacks vibrancy at the state and local levels. “The rubber hits the road at the local level,” she remarked, emphasizing that election security requires better coordination and implementation at the grassroots level.
Addressing the gaps in security preparedness, Barrister Kemi stressed the importance of ongoing training for security personnel, noting that short-term, election-specific training is inadequate. She further called for a more contextualized approach to election security in riverine areas and regions with complex topographies, advocating for the involvement of local actors familiar with these terrains.
On the topic of funding, She pointed out that the confusion surrounding security funding often leads to poor coordination, with various security agencies passing the blame to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). She urged for better structured funding mechanisms, ensuring that security agencies are adequately resourced year-round rather than relying on last-minute allocations.
The conversation concluded with a discussion on early voting for election workers and diaspora voting for Nigerians abroad, which Kemi strongly supported. She also touched on the importance of granting inmates in correctional centers, particularly those awaiting trial, the right to vote, highlighting that they had already been registered under the National Identity Number (NIN) system. This, she believes, could be a significant step towards greater electoral inclusion in Nigeria.
In summary, Barrister Kemi Okenyodo’s insights provided a sobering yet hopeful perspective on Nigeria’s election security landscape, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, well-coordinated reforms.
LISTEN TO THE FULL DISCUSSION HERE
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