Having finally re-registered to vote, I can now write on all that is wrong with the voter registration process in Nigeria.
10 Things that is totally wrong with the Nigerian Voter Registration process.
A thread.
10 Things that is totally wrong with the Nigerian Voter Registration process.
A thread.
1. All these could have been done fully online - then automate the alerts for the collection of PVCs via emails/SMS when ready.
You'll have cut costs by at least half, and make it less stressful for Nigerians. But no, we must suffer people to show we are working.
You'll have cut costs by at least half, and make it less stressful for Nigerians. But no, we must suffer people to show we are working.
2. The entire process is full of anomalies - myself and my friend who lost our 2015 PVCs could not find our names on their database. After weeks of effort to retrieve, we were finally advised to re-register. That leaves room for duplications, except ofcourse, sabotage.
3. Corruption again has reared it's ugly head in the process - INEC Officials are soliciting & receiving bribes in some centers to get people registered faster
4. As has been the case since 1999, INEC requires no evidence of age, address, or any other information provided.
This leaves room for underage voting. There has obviously been no improvement here.
This leaves room for underage voting. There has obviously been no improvement here.
5. To transfer your PVC takes as much as 1-year in some instances. This is unreasonable. Some may never vote because they can't transfer
6. As we said in 2015; 2011 voter card holders should have been migrated to the new platform. I still don't know why that is not possible
6. As we said in 2015; 2011 voter card holders should have been migrated to the new platform. I still don't know why that is not possible
7. Voters in the diaspora are still not provided for. This is a huge chunk of people disenfranchised
8. Differently abled/impaired people are not considered or adequately catered for in this process. Another disenfranchisement. Very tragic.
8. Differently abled/impaired people are not considered or adequately catered for in this process. Another disenfranchisement. Very tragic.
9. Inclusion of weekends came at the last minute.
The registration should have included weekends from the beginning. This stacks the odds against the working class voters, and benefits the unemployed voting block - hence vote buying.
The registration should have included weekends from the beginning. This stacks the odds against the working class voters, and benefits the unemployed voting block - hence vote buying.
10. The entire process should be continuous - i.e. registration officers should be stationed permanently in INEC offices even after elections, no need to stop the process, and then start the rush before 2023. Again, lack of planning.
End.
End.
