Understanding the Impacts of Electoral Technologies on Nigeria’s Electoral System

Abstract

This study investigated the impacts of electoral technologies on Nigeria’s electoral system, with the aim of finding out the role of technology on having an improved electoral system in Nigeria. The study was carried out in the six (6) State offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria (comprising Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states), and also at the national head office of INEC, Abuja. Primary data were collected using semi-structured key informant interviews, observation methods, and from 240 copies of structured questionnaires, administered in the Information and Communication Technology/Voter Registry (ICT/VR), and Electoral Operations (EOps) departments of the commission. The questionnaire elicited information on the impacts of electoral technologies on Nigeria’s electoral system, such as single voter registration, transmission speed, among others. Semi-structured key informant interviews of one of the top managers were carried out to assess the manager’s views about the impacts of electoral technologies on the electoral system in Nigeria. The binary logistic regression model (Cox & Snell R2 of 0.662 and Nagelkerke’s R2 of 0.883, Model Coefficients Omnibus Test of 31.264) indicated that the predictors reliably predict Nigeria’s electoral system. It was evident that the Transmission Speed of electoral data and election results (β = 2.826, p<0.05) and Single Voter Registration (β = 2.815, p<0.05) among others, were positive, signifying significant impacts of electoral technologies on Nigeria’s electoral system. The study concluded that INEC should pursue an improved continuous use of electoral technologies.