E-VOTING IN NIGERIA ELECTIONS: AN APPRAISAL OF INTERCONNECTEDNESS BETWEEN E-VOTING, CREDIBLE ELECTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Abstract

Elections are the foundations and cornerstone of representative democracy all over the world including Nigeria. For election to serve this foundational tenet or purpose, it has to be credible. Credible election provides foundations for strong and virile democracy to ensure legitimacy of political leaders and invariably accountability in governance resulting in good governance which has been elusive in Nigeria. In the quest therefore for credible electoral process, suggestions have been made that Independent Electoral Commission employs E-voting as a way to reduce or curb various election malpractices like multiple registrations, vote buying violence and other malpractices in electoral process. Therefore, this paper examines elections in Nigeria, credibility of elections held so far, the legal frameworks and international standards on election, and the interconnectedness between E-voting, Credible election and good governance in Nigeria. Doctrinal research methodology was employed in examination of the concepts. It is the findings of this work that flawed elections and electoral process affects our democracy and good governance and that though E-voting  is desideratum  but, it has its own short comings  and will not cure all the defects in election and electoral process in Nigeria. It will however reduce election and electoral process malpractices to the barest minimal and foster credible elections. This paper concludes by offering recommendations that will improve our electoral process and elections and usher in true democracy and good governance.