The Effectiveness of Card Reader in Reducing Electoral Malpractice in Nigeria (a Case Study of 2019 Presidential Election)
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To determine the nature and functions of card readers.
- To appraise the effectiveness of card readers in reducing electoral malpractice in Nigeria.
- To determine the effectiveness of card readers in reducing electoral malpractice in the 2019 presidential elections.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL ANALYSIS
Electoral transparency in this context refers to a condition where the entire processes of conducting elections are carried out in accordance with the constitutional specified rules and regulations. In other words, it connotes free and fair elections. According to Eya, transparent elections are those administered in line with non-discriminatory electoral process, He further stressed that a transparent electoral process is one that is conducted without elements of malpractice, dishonest conduct, bloodshed and unruly activities that have the tendency of changing the real expected result of the entire process (Eya, 2003). Correspondingly, electoral transparency is the process that leads to the actualization of democracy and legitimization of governmental powers (Onyeka, 2002). The Smart Card Reader (SCR) is a technological device designed to validate and attest to the authenticity of a permanent voter card (PVC) which holds the bio-data of potential voters on election days. The SCR utilizes a cryptographic (secret writing) technology used mostly in devices that are required to carry out protected operations. It unique components are ultra-low power consumption, Android 4.2.2 operating system and a sole core frequency of 1.2GHz (Ibrahim and Makama, 2015). This card reader is designed to scan and translate information stored in the implanted chip of the PVC issued by the INEC, so as to confirm the genuineness of the PVC. Next to the above function is the confirmation of the prospective voter by comparing the biometrics of the potential voter taken on the spot with the ones embedded on the PVC. System theory of David Easton is used here to analyze the quest for electoral transparency and the introduction of the card reader technology in Nigeria’s electoral system. The theory assumes that a political system is a process in which inputs emanating from the environment are converted into outputs through the process of authoritative allocation of values. Value here stands for anything that makes life meaningful, for instance free and fair elections. As describe by Easton, there are four (4) distinctive procedures involved in the functioning of a political system: the input process; the output process; the conversion and the feedback processes (Udu, 2015). Consequently, Easton conceives that while the inputs give the political system its vibrant character because it is made up of: demands, and supports; the authoritatively allocated values constitute the outputs (Akwen & Adejoh, 2015). Other fundamentals of the political system include the conversion process which depicts how the various demands are converted into outputs inform of public policies and programs, and feedback loop that provides information to policy makers on the impact of their policies on environment. Outputs do help to control events in the wider society that housed the system and in doing so, help to determine each succeeding round of inputs that finds its way into the conversion process. This process is known as a feedback mechanism. It is a key mechanism that helps the system to avert support stress that could lead to the collapse of the system. Outputs, flowing through the feedback loop, are means of breeding specific support. The feedback mechanism is thus, an active process through which the feeling of the environment about the accomplishment of the system is conveyed back to the conversion mechanism. Easton also drew attention to a salient feature that is critical in a political system survival. He calls it equilibrium, and defines it as the ability of the political system to conveniently respond to the numerous demands emanating from the environment without disenchantment from the environment.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought the effectiveness of card reader in reducing electoral malpractice in Nigeria (case study of 2019 presidential election)
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information the effectiveness of card reader in reducing electoral malpractice in Nigeria ( case study of 2019 presidential election). 200 staff of INEC, Akwa Ibom state were selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the effectiveness of card reader in reducing electoral malpractice in Nigeria. (a case study of 2019 presidential election). In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of the card reader in reducing electoral malpractice in Nigeria
Summary
This study was on the effectiveness of card reader in reducing electoral malpractice in Nigeria. (a case study of 2019 presidential election). Three objectives were raised which included: To determine the nature and functions of card readers, to appraise the effectiveness of card readers in reducing electoral malpractice in Nigeria and to determine the effectiveness of card readers in reducing electoral malpractice in the 2019 presidential elections. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of INEC, Akwa Ibom state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made presiding officers, electoral officers, administrative staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
The use of card readers generated debate at the time of the 2019 general elections. However, despite the challenges of using the device it also had a significant and positive impact on the election and its outcome. These influences are not easy to quantify. INEC’s aim in deploying the card reader was to improve the electoral process and deepen the democratic process. Unfortunately a lack of trust and the occurrence of suspicion and altercations among stakeholders with vested interests in the election created tension within the polity. With the use of the card reader in the 2019 general elections, and the gradual deployment of technology in subsequent elections in Nigeria, the prospect of the country becoming one in which elections are largely managed through technology appears to be achievable.
Recommendation
Government at all levels should try to allow the electoral commission to be more autonomous. This should be in funding, recruitment and responsibility. The budgetary provision of the electoral commission should be adequate for it to do its works easily. Politicians should be banned from influencing the recruitment of ad-hoc staff with the necessary legislations, including the application of existing ones. The current use of public universities staff as collation and returning officers is laudable on the part of INEC and should be strengthened. A way of adapting it to lower level elections should be fashioned out. Returning officers who were alleged to have collected money during the 2019 general elections should not be spared. The use of social media that frequently post unverified results should be banned with appropriate legislations.
References
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