Nigeria’s Electoral System Needs Overhaul, Says Senator Dickson
Senator Seriake Dickson has emphasized the need to sanitize Nigeria’s electoral system to reduce the growing number of election-related litigations and restore people’s confidence in the process. In an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today, Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the Senate, disclosed that the National Assembly has started moving to amend the electoral law.
Dickson highlighted the importance of the electoral law, stating that the National Assembly has already begun a comprehensive review to underpin the conduct of free and fair elections, reduce litigation, contest, challenges, and disaffection. He noted that the Supreme Court has become a venue where people reject the verdict, citing the need to reform the electoral process.
The senator also called for the introduction of electronic voting in Nigeria’s elections to reduce human interference, which he believes gives rise to manipulations. He drew parallels with the use of card readers in 2015, praising President Jonathan’s decision to introduce technology in the electoral process. Dickson lamented that the Federal Government has not built on the progress made in the use of technology in Nigeria’s elections over the past eight years.
Furthermore, Senator Dickson expressed his support for the call by the Patriots, led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku, to convene a national constituent assembly to produce a new draft constitution for the country. He believes that a constitutional review or reform is at the root of most of Nigeria’s challenges, stating that the current constitution has reduced the country’s capacity to be productive and created an ineffective grassroots administrative system.
Dickson added that the constitution has resulted in an over-bloated and overloaded centre, emphasizing the need for a new constitution that puts the interest of the country above personal and party interests.
With Nigeria’s elections just around the corner, Senator Dickson’s call for electoral reform and the introduction of electronic voting may be music to the ears of many Nigerians seeking a more transparent and efficient electoral process.
