Unified Elections to Curb Corruption and Cut Costs, Advocates Hon. Francis Waive
In a compelling discussion on “Electoral Reform Hour,” on the topic ‘‘Amending Select Provisions of the Electoral Act 2022’’, Hon. Francis Waive, Chairman of Rules and Business in the House of Representatives, emphasized the necessity of amending Nigeria’s electoral laws to enhance transparency, efficiency, and credibility. The program, aimed at fostering inclusive dialogue on electoral reform and constitutional amendments, was broadcast on Kapital FM 92.9 Abuja and other FRCN stations nationwide, with support from the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA) and the MacArthur Foundation.
During the session, Hon. Waive advocated for synchronizing all elections – presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship, and state House of Assembly – to be held on the same day. He argued that this would reduce costs, minimize logistical challenges, and eliminate the “bandwagon effect” observed in staggered elections.
“I have experienced two general elections, and each time, there were postponements which not only increased costs but also disrupted the electoral process. Conducting all elections on the same day would save at least 50% of the total cost and improve logistical efficiency,” Hon. Waive stated. He further highlighted that a constitutional amendment would be necessary to formalize this approach.
Hon. Waive also proposed a constitutional amendment to mandate a complete overhaul of the voters’ register every ten years. He pointed out that the current register is often bloated with names of deceased individuals and migrants, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
“The integrity of the voters’ register is crucial. A fresh registration every ten years would eliminate outdated data, ensuring a more accurate and credible register. This is especially important as we continue to integrate technology like biometrics and the National Identification Number (NIN) into the registration process,” Hon. Waive explained.
Addressing the introduction of technology in the Electoral Act 2022, Hon. Waive acknowledged the benefits brought by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) but noted the challenges it faced in the 2023 elections due to human interference. He suggested amendments to make technological provisions enforceable by law, thus reducing opportunities for manipulation.
“The BVAS system performed well in 98% of cases, but the remaining 2% were due to deliberate human attempts to bypass the system. By making these technological provisions part of the Electoral Act, we can enforce rules like ‘No accreditation, no voting,’ ensuring greater adherence and transparency,” he asserted.
A caller during the program raised concerns about the practical challenges of distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and conducting continuous registration, suggesting that making the current process more transparent might be more effective than periodic overhauls. Hon. Waive responded by emphasizing the need for an initial comprehensive clean-up to set a credible baseline.
“In the long run, a periodic overhaul of the voters’ register will result in fewer registration manipulations and higher voter turnout. The system will become more credible, and the number of uncollected PVCs will drop significantly,” he argued.
The discussion also touched on the diversification of the 10th Assembly, with Hon. Waive noting the presence of members from multiple political parties. He highlighted the need for political parties in Nigeria to develop distinct ideologies to improve democratic governance.
“We currently lack ideological distinctions among political parties. This is something we must work on to strengthen our democracy. When we get to the National Assembly, our focus is on national interests, but clear party ideologies would enhance the democratic process,” he added.
In conclusion, Hon. Waive stressed that the proposed electoral reforms are crucial for Nigeria’s democratic stability. He called for support from his colleagues in the National Assembly and the public to ensure these amendments are passed and implemented effectively.
“Getting the electoral process right is fundamental to preventing democratic backsliding. It ensures that those elected truly represent the people’s will, thereby enhancing the legitimacy and accountability of the government,” he concluded.
LISTEN TO THE FULL DISCUSSION HERE