Nigeria’s push toward credible elections remains at risk as political actors continue to undermine electoral integrity, the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) has warned. According to the coalition, the character, conduct, and desperation of many Nigerian politicians constitute one of the biggest obstacles to building a transparent voting system despite recent gains made through digital reforms.
Okereke Ukpola, National Convener of the coalition, said the behaviour of political elites has consistently weakened public trust in electoral outcomes. Speaking in Abuja, he noted that although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced mechanisms aimed at strengthening transparency, such as the mandatory transfer of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), politicians routinely attempt to subvert these processes through manipulation, intimidation, and abuse of influence.
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Ukpola described the IReV upload requirement as one of the most significant safeguards introduced in recent years, insisting that the measure must not only be sustained but also strengthened. He warned that attempts to frustrate or delay electronic transmission of results during elections represent deliberate efforts to compromise the transparency that Nigerians increasingly demand.
The ERC convener called for the urgent adoption of full digital and electronic voting, arguing that manual processes give room for tampering, ballot snatching, falsification, and other manipulative practices commonly associated with Nigerian elections. According to him, electronic voting, if properly designed and protected, would significantly reduce human interference and enhance the speed, accuracy, and credibility of election outcomes.
He stressed that other African countries have already adopted digital voting systems with measurable success, questioning why Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy, continues to lag behind. “Technology is not our problem. The real problem is political will,” Ukpola asserted, warning that resistance to digitalization is often driven by actors who benefit from the loopholes embedded in the traditional system.
Ukpola argued that sustained reforms are necessary not only to protect election results but also to rebuild public confidence in democratic institutions. He pointed out that Nigeria’s low voter turnout rates reflect deep-seated skepticism among citizens, many of whom believe their votes do not count due to the influence of corrupt political players.
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The ERC therefore urged INEC, civil society, and the National Assembly to move decisively to implement comprehensive legal frameworks for electronic voting, including clear procedures, secure digital infrastructure, and severe penalties for those who attempt to manipulate digital systems. Ukpola also called for capacity-building for electoral officers and public education campaigns to ensure widespread understanding and acceptance of digital processes.
He emphasized that credible elections are impossible without accountable political actors, regardless of technological reforms. The coalition urged political parties to adopt internal disciplinary systems, promote ethical behaviour among candidates and party agents, and prioritize transparency over power struggles.
As Nigeria prepares for future election cycles, the ERC stressed that the survival of the country’s democracy will depend on whether reforms can outpace the entrenched habits of political manipulation. Ukpola concluded with a warning: “No technology can save an election if the actors remain determined to subvert it. Nigeria must reform its politics alongside its electoral systems.”
