[The Polity With Senator Reformed] Voting With Clarity: Why Candidates’ Names, Pictures Matter On Ballot Papers — By Senator Reformed

As far as Nigeria’s electoral process is concerned, a significant issue that has emerged in recent elections is the alarming number of voters who are unaware of the candidates they are voting for.

This lack of knowledge often leads to the emergence of inept politicians, as voters—as could be validated by reality—tend to cast their ballots based on party familiarity rather than the individual merits of the candidates.

To address this problem and enhance the integrity of the electoral process, it is imperative that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adopts a reform that includes engraving candidates’ names and pictures on ballot papers.

Numerous reports have surfaced during recent elections of Nigerian voters who, after casting their votes, inquire about whom they have voted for. This phenomenon is indicative of a deeper problem that many voters are not familiar with the individual candidates and their qualifications. Instead, their votes are largely influenced by their recognition of party names, a practice that benefits politicians who may not be the best “representatives” for their states/constituencies.

And this system, it is a fact, perpetuates the cycle of inefficiency and corruption in governance, as voters inadvertently elect candidates who may lack the necessary competence and integrity to pilot their affairs.

The truth is that political parties in Nigeria wield considerable influence over the electoral choices of the populace. For many voters, especially the elderly, the party’s emblems are more recognizable than the faces and names of the candidates themselves. For instance, during the last general elections, many elderly voters cast their ballots for the All Progressives Congress (APC) from top to bottom, mistakenly believing that Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate, was also the candidate for senatorial and House of Representatives elections. This many referred to as the “Tinubu Tsunami.” Similarly, at the state level, voters often vote a particular party for State House of Assembly elections, mistakenly thinking they are voting for the governor in that separate ballot paper. This development, it must be stated, undermines the democratic process.

To truly mitigate the issue of uninformed voting, INEC should consider a reform that involves placing both the names and pictures of candidates on the ballot papers as this approach definitely has several benefits.

First, voters will have a clearer understanding of whom they are voting for if there is a display of the candidates’ names and pictures on the ballot paper. This visual representation will help voters make more informed decisions, reducing the likelihood of voting based solely on party familiarity.

Secondly, when voters are more aware of the individual candidates, politicians are likely to be more accountable. Candidates will need to focus on their personal track records, policies, and integrity to win votes, rather than relying on their party’s recognition.

Another is that clear identification of candidates can also help reduce electoral malpractices such as vote manipulation and ballot tampering as it will become more challenging to mislead voters or alter results when the candidates’ identities are prominently displayed.

Furthermore, this reform would also increase voters’ confidence in the electoral process as this would provide a fairer platform for unpopular but best candidates from smaller parties to gain more visibility and compete on a more level playing field with candidates who knows next to nothing about leadership from larger parties.

While the proposed reform offers significant benefits, its implementation would require careful planning and consideration. Some potential challenges include increased costs and logistical issues. Engraving candidates’ names and pictures on ballot papers may increase the cost of printing and logistics. However, this investment is justified by the potential improvement in the quality of elected representatives and overall governance.

Alongside this reform, a comprehensive voter education campaign would be necessary to inform the electorate about the new ballot design and its benefits. This campaign should place enough emphasis on the importance of evaluating candidates based on their capabilities and individual merits.

Reiteratively, the need for electoral reforms in Nigeria is urgent and undeniable. And the need to etch candidates’ names and pictures on ballot papers will therefore be a practical and impactful solution to the problem of uninformed voting. The implementation, however, boils down on the Lawmakers and INEC to implement this reform so as to ensure that elections are more reflective of the voters’ true preferences and lead to the election of more competent and accountable representatives. It is a crucial step towards strengthening our democracy and giving enough oxygen to qualitative governance for the overall benefit of all Nigerians.

 

 

Send us an email today to promote your business, products, goods, services, companies, birthday wishes, announcements, special reports, and many more at an affordable rate.

Email Polity: polityreporters@gmail.com

Or Whatsapp 

 https://wa.me/2347043810558