Kudos to Nigerian electorate
The Nigerian electorate last Saturday demonstrated uncommon patriotism with the large turnout of voters for the presidential and National Assembly general elections. The patience and enthusiasm displayed by Nigerians on that day was particularly remarkable and we give them kudos for that.
Analysts had predicted low voter turnout on account of the relatively high cost of voting in Nigeria. For instance, the country is usually shut down and movement restricted. This often forces many to walk long distances to polling booths.
In addition, the enormous security challenges confronting the nation, especially threats emanating primarily from insurgency and militancy, add to the cost of visiting polling stations to cast one’s vote.
Some analysts who reviewed available voter statistics found more reasons to be cynical. According to the statistics, voting age population (VAP) participation averaged 55 percent for all the elections conducted in the country since the return to civilian governance in 1999. VAP was highest at 65 percent in 2003 followed by 57 percent in 1999, 50 percent in 2007 and 49 percent in 2011.
Similarly, voter turnout averaged 58 percent for the four elections of 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 . The highest voter turnout of 69 percent occurred in 2003 while the lowest, 52 percent, was in 1999. The corresponding figures for 2007 and 2011 were 57 percent and 54 percent respectively.
These voter participation figures compare unfavourably with figures for recent elections in selected African countries. For example, recent voter turnout in neighbouring Ghana was 80 percent and 85 percent in Kenya.
For the 2015 general elections, INEC cleaned its register and came up with about 68 million voters less than 80 percent of whom collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs).
Using the simple calculus of voting, analysts stated that the Net Benefit of Voting = B x p – C where B is the benefit, or the value the voter places on seeing his/her preferred candidate win rather than the opponent; C is the cost of voting (measured in terms of time and any out-of-pocket money costs) and p is the probability that the voter’s vote will determine the election outcome.
True, the cost of casting a vote during the Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections was high. Some voters left home as early as 5.00 am and did not get back home until 8.00 pm, a period of 15 hours. For some in Lagos, out of pocket expenses were also high as the unexpected need to hire a generating set at the polling unit cropped up.
Another risk /cost of voting on Saturday was that of threat to safety of the voter. One man who went to the Ayobo/Ijon polling centre in Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos to seek accreditation was left with a head injury when an INEC official hit him on his head for refusing to accept that his name was not on the register. The PVC he spent days to collect was no help at that moment.
In spite of all these negatives, it is appropriate that various stakeholders have commended the Nigerian electorate for turning out in large numbers on Saturday, 28 March 2015 at the start of the 2015 general elections, against all odds. It is also commendable that they demonstrated a rare determination to own the process of electing a president that will run the affairs of Africa’s most populous nation in the next four years. The ballot was also to elect members of the National Assembly that will form the 8th National Assembly with effect from May 2015.
We are glad to note that the large voter turnout elicited praise from world leaders. For instance, Ban Ki-Moon,UN Secretary-General, commended the enthusiasm of Nigerian voters just as John Kuffour, leader of the election observer mission of the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) expressed satisfaction with the large voter turnout.
We share the views of the serving American Ambassador to Nigeria who was more forthright when he described Nigerians as a very patient people willing to spend several hours to cast their votes. Similarly, chairman of the election umpire, Atahiru Jega and leading politicians have also commended the enthusiasm and determination of the Nigerian electorate.
We join these leaders to commend the Nigerian voter and sincerely hope that their sacrifice will not be in vain.