By 
By Abdulkareem O. Abdullateef
On the eve of the 2019 general elections, I ran into some groups of women and men who were discussing how they would vote, or better put, whom they would vote for. They made a stunning decision that a party with a particular logo would be their choice and they fulfilled this pledge by thumb printing that logo. This same set of people also complained about their poor representation at the federal level during the last political dispensations. They lamented that, if not because ‘Honorable’ was still in that party, they would not vote for him again. They failed to understand the fact that they could vote for any credible candidate of their choice – irrespective of their party at the election. Little did they also know that, having a candidate that they know his/her antecedent to possessvirtues of a good leader belonging to a particular party does not give others free validations.
Consequently, I could tell that these people had no knowledge of who was eligible to vote; where and how to register; how the electorates could check the voters list to know if they had been duly included; what type of elections were being held; who the candidates were; and how to file complaints.
Beginning with the 1999 General Elections, news of widespread and monumental electoral malpractices and irregularities were adequately reported (Oyeweso & Amusa, 2019). Prior to this time, emphasis was not placed on the need to educate the voters on election matters. On average, past elections have been marred by intimidation, manipulation, multiple voting, bribing of officials of the electoral body and security agencies, election rigging, snatching of ballot boxes and vote buying, among others (Punch, 2019). But the 2015 general election was absorbed from most of the aforementioned problems.
Educating the voters is crucial to the sustainability of any democratic process (Noris, 2004). Thus, educating the voters is no doubt capable of leading to a sustainable democratic regime in Nigeria. A viable voters’ education scheme allows for successful elections as well as ensures meaningful participation in the process. It does not only remind the voters of their obligations, but also teaches effective ways of carrying out their civic responsibilities.
However, looking at the political transition from military dictatorship to democracy, the Nigerian state has hitherto experienced several electoral irregularities since 1999. In an attempt to checkmate this ugly reality, entrenching voters’ education scheme and setting up effective electoral institutions is imperative for the successful conduct of elections, especially in a bid to grow and sustain the democratic process in Nigeria.
According to Albeit, voters’ education has been acknowledged as a means of sanitizing well as educating citizens on democratic principles. However, the 2019 elections were visibly marred by violence, vote buying, logistics and operational debacles and massive rigging.
The is an urgent need to build a viable electronic voting system as well as the establishment of an electoral crime commission – which shall be charged with the responsibility of prosecuting electoral offenders. This surely would address the menace of vote buying and monetary inducement on election days.
During the 2002 presidential elections in Kenya, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) coordinated a multifaceted voters’ education and training initiative; which included community-based voter education, the monitoring of civic preparedness and the evaluation of pre-electoral environments with local observers. With supports coming from many other organizations as well, the programme demonstrated the popular commitment to open democratic processes at every level and reinforced the readiness for change and commitment to democracy among the Kenyan people. The elections were ultimately considered to be the freest and fairest Kenya had held up to this moment.
Elections cannot be genuinely democratic unless voters are made to know and understand the lifestyle, plans and programmes of various contestants, which in turn, will engender them to cast informed votes. It will not be out of place therefore, to ask for intensified voters’ education to direct the people rightly on their choice of leadership, as well as attract those who already feel indifferent to the entire situation.
Though the concerned bodies are painstakingly educating the electorate, it is believed that more efforts will yield better results, if they re-strategize and educate people on the best approaches to stay guarded and unmoved by unrealistic promises some candidates make during electioneering period.
Politicians who are professional carpet crossers; those known overtime for deceit and unproductivity; politicians who remember those who voted them in only when another election draws near; and those who bluntly refuse to accomplish the promises they made during their campaign should be avoided like plagues, while their campaign frenzies should be discarded with – to avoid another deception. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is expected to recognize the Media and other concerned organizations as partners in progress; and consequently incorporate them in their budget, providing funding for jingles, training, programmes and other cost effective moves to get voters educated on their right to informed decisions.
Above all, importance should be attached to the language of the minority to ensure effective communication and better participation, as voters are to understand that they have many credible options to select from. It shouldn’t be just about the candidates of the establishment parties. There are other parties with credit-worthy individuals on the ballot papers. And most importantly, they should vote individuals that have distinguished themselves through their scorecards in recent positions; credible credentials; great leadership antecedents; and many other significant virtues that could stand the test of time.
Abdulkareem writes from Ilorin, and he is also the founder of Saving African Youths Dream Initiative.
lateef@savingafricanyouthsdreaminitiative.org
This is an educative piece, Abdulakeem Abdullateef. More grease to your elbow.