The head of the Nigeria Bar Association recently addressed the importance of instilling trust in Nigeria’s electoral processes to reduce the need for court intervention in resolving election disputes. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, he highlighted the transparency gap in result collation post-polling as a major issue affecting public confidence.
The focus was on restoring faith in the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Electoral Act, and the entire electoral system. Emphasis was placed on the period between polling closure and result announcement, where distrust often arises.
The goal is to shift away from heavy court involvement by fostering confidence in the electoral process among citizens, politicians, and party agents. Drawing examples from Ghana’s recent election, where parties accepted results based on transparent processes, it was highlighted how a trustworthy system could minimize court interference.
Recommendations from the press briefing included adopting Ghana’s electoral practices, such as manual voter verification without ID cards for registered voters and special voting for essential personnel. These measures aimed at enhancing inclusivity and transparency in the electoral process to build citizens’ trust and minimize legal battles, allowing courts to focus on other critical matters.