Nigeria's Electoral Reforms: Trust Deficit and Rigging Issues

Jeremiah Angai's article critiques Nigeria's continuous cycle of electoral reforms since 1999, which have not effectively addressed the country's electoral integrity issues. Despite significant investments in reforms, such as the introduction of the Permanent Voter Card, Smart Card Reader, and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the electoral process remains flawed.

The Senate's recent attempt to amend the 2026 Electoral Act to dilute compulsory electronic transmission of results exemplifies this ongoing struggle. The article notes that while reforms like the INEC Result Viewing Portal were welcomed, they have not been legally mandated, leading to inconsistencies.

The author emphasizes that Nigeria suffers from a trust deficit rather than a technological deficit, as the political class has historically manipulated electoral outcomes. The article concludes by questioning the rationale behind the Senate's insistence on manual processes, which have been prone to abuse, and highlights the need for genuine reform to restore public confidence in the electoral system.