Can Nigeria have free and fair elections in 2011?

Free and fair elections should bring about a peaceful transition of power. All the candidates, political parties and electorate are satisfied with election results, undue argument is avoided and debate is encouraged. A free and fair election ensures that everybody involved in the election accepts the validity of the election and supports the formation of […]

Free and fair elections should bring about a peaceful transition of power. All the candidates, political parties and electorate are satisfied with election results, undue argument is avoided and debate is encouraged. A free and fair election ensures that everybody involved in the election accepts the validity of the election and supports the formation of the new government.
Nigeria can attain a free and fair election and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), can successfully conduct a free and fair election if the following provisions are adequately put in place.
INEC should be absolutely independent of the ruling government; government should not interfere with the functions and duties of INEC. Every requirement for INEC to successfully conduct free and fair elections should be provided promptly and without politicking. After furnishing INEC with all election materials, INEC should adequately put the following in place:
First, registration of voters ought to be open, not restricted or meant exclusively for a certain group of people. Voters’ registration should enable eligible men and women exercise their franchise.
Secondly, all candidates running for a political post should be thoroughly screened to ensure that they conform to the requirement for seeking political positions. Also, there should be freedom of speech and expression for candidates, political parties and electorate to express their views, comments and opinions on issues.
The system of voting should be such that an individual choice of party or candidate cannot be used against him or her.
Most importantly, a rigid and enforceable law with strict penalties should be put in place in order to discourage election malpractices, rigging, snatching of ballot boxes, and hijacking of data capturing machines, use of ghost voters and under aged voters. In addition to these legal prohibitory laws, there should be proper legal mechanisms to review election process.
Having highlighted these important criteria for conducting free and fair elections in 2011, it is the desire of Nigerians that elections are free and fair. Unfortunately, some people do not participate to bring their desires into realities. They prefer not to register during registration of voters and on election days remain indoors or attend religious or private meetings to excuse themselves from voting. They forget that their vote is an instrument for positive change. Faith without works cannot accomplish any positive result. Some Nigerians even prefer to be what Fela Anikulapo calls “suffering and smiling” in one of his songs. They know that their votes can create a significant and effective positive change in governance but don’t use it. They choose not to participate actively in electoral process such as registration, monitoring of campaigns and conducting a thorough background check on election candidates before the actual day of election. A great emphasis and awareness should be put in place by the media, civil societies, NGOs and INEC to sensitize the electorate about the forthcoming  2011 elections and also to ensure that the elections process is properly organized and INEC is furnished with every necessary  election materials.
Also, political parties and their representatives should be banned from positioning themselves in the polling booths on election day. Only INEC officials, media, NGOs and volunteer election workers should be present in order to assist voters with the voting process and monitor the election.
Eunice Ohanisi wrote from Abuja