The Edo State Electoral Process: A Democratic Challenge
The upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday, September 21, raises serious questions about democracy in Nigeria. While elections in other countries are relatively smooth, the situation in Nigeria is marked by excessive influence by security forces and an atmosphere of pre-election tension.
The mobilization of over 43,000 security personnel to oversee an electoral process in a single state raises concerns about the country’s ability to conduct free and fair elections without resorting to excessive militarization. The use of soldiers during elections runs counter to democratic principles and raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
Furthermore, the signatories to the National Peace Accord have been criticized for their superficial approach of simply signing a document without taking concrete steps to ensure violence-free elections. Trust in the institutions responsible for organizing elections, such as the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (INEC) and the police, is being undermined by allegations of bias and lack of integrity.
It is therefore essential that reforms are undertaken to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process and ensure free, fair and transparent elections. This requires greater involvement of civil society, the media and international observers to monitor the electoral process and report any irregularities.
Democracy in Nigeria faces major challenges that require urgent action to strengthen democratic institutions and protect citizens’ rights to free and fair elections. The upcoming polls in Edo are an opportunity to highlight these challenges and promote reforms aimed at strengthening democracy in the country.
It is essential that political actors, security agencies and voters commit to upholding democratic principles and working together to ensure peaceful and legitimate elections. The path to a stronger and more inclusive democracy in Nigeria lies through transparent and fair elections, where the will of the people is respected and protected.