The 2019 general elections, digital technology and the democratization process in Nigeria

Abstract

Electoral malpractices and election violence have remained contentious issues in the democratization process in Africa. Though several measures have been put in place to address this problem, elections have contributed negatively to the democratization in Africa and particularly in Nigeria. The introduction of technology in the electoral process in Nigeria, was part of the innovative ideas to bring credibility and transparency to elections. While this move was a promising and commendable idea, its outcome has created mixed feeling among Nigerians. Relying on secondary sources, this study attempts to interrogate the trends, dynamics, outcomes, and challenges of using technology in elections in Nigeria with emphasis on the 2019 general elections. It argues that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued to demonstrate institutional capacity toward supporting technological reforms in election administration, there are other countless institutional malaises that have made technological innovation in electoral administration ineffective. This underscores the need for deeper institutional reforms and increased political education and socialization of the voting population by the INEC, political parties, and other relevant stakeholders. Also, the need to improve the technological lapses witnessed in previous elections and strive to institutionalize the process via sophisticated legal and institutional provisions is sacrosanct.