THE SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF RAW DATA AND ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM: A PANACEA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Elections are the major pillars of a liberal democratic government globally. The incidences of electoral violence in every election cycle in Nigeria invariably make the application of the electronic voting system inevitable in curtailing the attendant security implications of every election outcome in the country. In Nigeria, elections are inundated by the reoccurring turmoil and trajectory of a manual raw data collation system that is prone to controversies and violent manipulation. This affects the credibility/accuracy of the electoral system. This results in the upsurge of maladroit leaders with its attendant security challenges that necessitate exploring the use of electronic voting systems. This system is nonviolent and cost-effective, it increases participation, and credibility and guarantees the security of lives with a simple management method of casting and counting of votes. Using a time series theory and field survey method involving key informant interviews and focus group discussions as well as documentary reports, to interrogate the progress and pitfalls of the Nexus of our electoral act amendment bill and sustainable democracy to advance the current debate on electoral reform suggesting the dominance use of electronic transmission of election results as the thrust to enthrone a credible electoral system and guarantee human security. It argues that the failure of our electoral system to conduct free, fair, peaceful and credible elections is severely undermined by a lack of reform that accommodates the electronic voting system. The article concludes that if this gap is not addressed, the electoral system in Nigeria will be prone to generate controversy, manipulation and insecurity