Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the full automation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) to improve transparency and prevent human interference in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Jonathan made this statement on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at the YIAGA Africa reflection conference on democratic elections in West Africa. He noted that the controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election, particularly the failure of the IREV to function as promised, could have been avoided if the technology had been fully automated.
“The issue of controversy about BVAS and IREV, for example, if BVAS captures data, that data should be automatically uploaded to the IREV,” Jonathan said. “It should not depend on an interface by a human factor who will not come and tell us about glitches. Because if it is so automated that no human factor will stop it, then of course, it will be seamless.”
The former president pointed out that if human intervention is required before BVAS completes its automated task, it creates room for manipulation. According to him, automation should eliminate opportunities for individuals to interfere with the system and alter election outcomes.
Jonathan’s comments come in the wake of widespread concerns over the 2023 general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had assured Nigerians that results would be uploaded in real-time using the IREV system. However, during the presidential election, the system failed to function as expected, leading to suspicions of foul play and legal battles over the election outcome. INEC later attributed the failure to technical glitches, a claim that many Nigerians found unconvincing.
The Role of Technology in Nigerian Elections
In recent years, Nigeria has introduced new technologies to its electoral process to address issues of fraud and ensure credibility. The BVAS system, designed to verify voters’ identities and accreditation, was introduced to replace the card reader system, which had been criticized for its inefficiencies. The IREV portal was meant to enhance transparency by allowing real-time viewing of election results.
Despite these innovations, the 2023 elections were marred by reports of irregularities. Many Nigerians expressed disappointment over INEC’s failure to live up to its promise of real-time result transmission. Some opposition parties and civil society groups argued that the inability to upload results immediately created loopholes for manipulation.
Jonathan acknowledged that technology alone cannot resolve all electoral issues but insisted that proper improvements must be made. “Though the deployment of technologies alone has not solved most of the issues in Nigeria’s electoral process, technology can’t be discarded, but improvement is needed,” he said.
Concerns Over Low Voter Turnout and Ghost Voters
In addition to calling for electoral reforms, Jonathan also raised concerns about voter turnout in Nigeria. He noted that a significant number of registered voters do not participate in elections, suggesting that the country’s voter register may be filled with fictitious names.
“There are some areas of concern I also have, especially in Nigeria. At the end of elections, you hardly get up to 40 percent of Nigerians voting. Do you believe that is correct? My belief is that we have too many ghost voters,” Jonathan said.
The former president explained that when political competition is intense, and both parties are evenly matched, the ability to manipulate elections is reduced. As a result, only genuine voters determine the outcome, and voter turnout remains at about 50 percent.
His remarks highlight a persistent problem in Nigeria’s electoral system, where allegations of voter register manipulation have been a recurring issue. Over the years, civil society groups and election observers have raised concerns about the presence of fake voters on the register. In some cases, election results have shown significantly higher registered voters than actual votes cast, raising suspicions of irregularities.
The Need for Electoral Reforms
Jonathan’s comments add to the ongoing debate on the need for electoral reforms in Nigeria. The 2023 general elections reignited discussions on how to improve the country’s electoral process to restore public confidence. Several stakeholders, including political analysts, civil society groups, and international observers, have called for a review of the electoral system.
One of the key recommendations has been to strengthen the independence of INEC and ensure that its operations are free from political interference. Many believe that the commission should be empowered to function more effectively without external pressures that could compromise the integrity of elections.
Another major area of concern is the security of elections. The 2023 elections witnessed reports of violence, voter suppression, and ballot box snatching in some areas. These incidents discouraged many Nigerians from participating in the voting process, further contributing to the issue of low voter turnout.
To address these challenges, some experts have suggested the adoption of electronic voting. They argue that allowing Nigerians to vote electronically could reduce human interference and make the process more transparent. However, others caution that electronic voting would require significant investments in infrastructure and security to prevent cyberattacks and ensure that the system is not vulnerable to manipulation.
Lessons from Other Countries
Jonathan’s call for full automation aligns with global trends, where many countries have successfully implemented technology-driven electoral processes. Countries such as Estonia, Brazil, and India have adopted various forms of electronic voting and result transmission, reducing the chances of electoral fraud and increasing public confidence in their elections.
For instance, Brazil’s electronic voting system has been in use since the 1990s, ensuring faster and more transparent elections. Estonia, a global leader in e-governance, allows citizens to vote online, making participation easier and more accessible. India, the world’s largest democracy, has also embraced electronic voting machines (EVMs), reducing the logistical challenges associated with traditional paper-based voting.
While these countries have had their share of challenges, they have continued to refine their systems to improve efficiency and credibility. Nigeria could learn from these experiences and work towards implementing a more reliable electoral system.
Moving Forward: The Future of Nigeria’s Elections
Jonathan’s recommendations serve as a reminder that Nigeria’s democracy is still evolving. As the country prepares for future elections, the government and relevant stakeholders must take decisive steps to address the concerns raised during the 2023 polls.
INEC, in particular, must ensure that the technologies it deploys are fully functional and not subject to human interference. This will help restore public trust in the electoral process and reduce the risk of post-election disputes. Additionally, measures should be taken to clean up the voter register and eliminate ghost voters to ensure that election outcomes reflect the will of the people.
Beyond technology, broader reforms in the political system are also necessary. Political parties must play their part in promoting free and fair elections by discouraging electoral malpractice and violence. Security agencies must also be more proactive in preventing election-related violence and ensuring that voters can exercise their rights without fear.
As Jonathan pointed out, democracy thrives when elections are credible and citizens have confidence in the process. By embracing reforms and learning from global best practices, Nigeria can strengthen its electoral system and build a democracy that truly represents the people’s will.
