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Adedeji P. Ademefun
University of Ibadan, Political Science, Graduate Student
The Parallel Vote Tabulation is no doubt changing the election observation narrative in Nigeria’s electoral processes as it seeks to provide a scientific, timely and more systematic approach, with precision, to the election day... more
The Parallel Vote Tabulation is no doubt changing the election observation narrative in Nigeria’s electoral processes as it seeks to provide a scientific, timely and more systematic approach, with
precision, to the election day observation processes, hence, enhancing the transparency and
credibility of elections as well as the acceptance of results. Broadly, non-partisan citizen observers
play an important role during elections by raising public confidence in the electoral process,
deterring electoral malfeasance, detecting, and exposing irregularities, and providing citizens with
important information concerning the integrity of elections. For this study, the researcher adopted
the Ex post facto research design to underscore the nexus between Election Observation
Methodologies and Democracy in Nigeria with 44 respondents were selected, through purposive and
snowballing techniques, across critical stakeholders in election administration in Nigeria. Secondary
data sources were also analysed exploring existing literatures on the subject-matter. The qualitative
data were analysed using transcription/thematic analysis method including, data transcriptions,
annotation, data coding, analysis, and interpretation. The method of analysis is descriptive. A
correlation analysis was also conducted to establish the strength of relationship between credible
electoral outcomes and good governance in Nigeria. The Systems, Liberal-Democratic and
Structural-Functionalist theories were adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The study
established from its major findings that the PVT has its own limitations; however, those limitations
have in no measure delimited its capability to statistically verify Election Day results as announced
by the INEC. It also established that a credible electoral process and outcome is a step towards good
governance, thus, the performance of a democracy is dependent on the ability of citizens to participate
actively in policy decisions, the budgetary processes, hold government to account, a responsive
government and in an atmosphere where the fundamental rights of the citizens are well protected.
Thus, it is recommended that beyond elections, the very important step for good governance to be
entrenched is for accountability mechanism which ensures that the mandate of the people is protected
within apposite legal frameworks, institutions of government are responsive to the demands of the
citizens and an active agency of the citizens to hold government to account is put in place.
precision, to the election day observation processes, hence, enhancing the transparency and
credibility of elections as well as the acceptance of results. Broadly, non-partisan citizen observers
play an important role during elections by raising public confidence in the electoral process,
deterring electoral malfeasance, detecting, and exposing irregularities, and providing citizens with
important information concerning the integrity of elections. For this study, the researcher adopted
the Ex post facto research design to underscore the nexus between Election Observation
Methodologies and Democracy in Nigeria with 44 respondents were selected, through purposive and
snowballing techniques, across critical stakeholders in election administration in Nigeria. Secondary
data sources were also analysed exploring existing literatures on the subject-matter. The qualitative
data were analysed using transcription/thematic analysis method including, data transcriptions,
annotation, data coding, analysis, and interpretation. The method of analysis is descriptive. A
correlation analysis was also conducted to establish the strength of relationship between credible
electoral outcomes and good governance in Nigeria. The Systems, Liberal-Democratic and
Structural-Functionalist theories were adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The study
established from its major findings that the PVT has its own limitations; however, those limitations
have in no measure delimited its capability to statistically verify Election Day results as announced
by the INEC. It also established that a credible electoral process and outcome is a step towards good
governance, thus, the performance of a democracy is dependent on the ability of citizens to participate
actively in policy decisions, the budgetary processes, hold government to account, a responsive
government and in an atmosphere where the fundamental rights of the citizens are well protected.
Thus, it is recommended that beyond elections, the very important step for good governance to be
entrenched is for accountability mechanism which ensures that the mandate of the people is protected
within apposite legal frameworks, institutions of government are responsive to the demands of the
citizens and an active agency of the citizens to hold government to account is put in place.
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Election observation is an integral part of an electoral process. Basically, it helps to enhance the transparency and credibility of elections as well as the acceptance of results. More importantly, Non-partisan citizen observers... more
ABSTRACT
Election observation is an integral part of an electoral process. Basically, it helps to enhance the transparency and credibility of elections as well as the acceptance of results. More importantly, Non-partisan citizen observers play an important role during elections by raising public confidence in the electoral process, deterring electoral malfeasance, detecting and exposing irregularities, and providing citizens with important information concerning the integrity of elections. Despite the fact that Good Governance has assumed the front burner as an indispensable requisite for social, economic and political developments; it continues to be a source of concern and a big challenge to most countries including Nigeria. This work examines the traditional system of observing elections in Nigeria and its attendant limitations which called for a more acceptable and scientific approach to election observation. This led to the introduction and adoption of a new election observation methodology known as the parallel vote tabulation {PVT} or Quick Count.
The researcher adopted the Survey research methodology in conducting the study on the significance of the PARALLEL VOTE TABULATION (PVT) IN ELECTION OBSERVATION AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA. To do this, the researcher used both the primary and secondary sources of data. For primary data, Three hundred and seventy (370) questionnaires were randomly administered to selected respondents. Relevant materials from secondary data sources were also analyzed exploring existing literatures on the subject-matter and obtaining information from books, journals, reports, magazine, newspapers, the internet and other relevant sources. The quantitative analysis is done with the use of simple percentage and Chi-Square in chapter four where the data from questionnaires are analysed. The Systems theory was also adopted as the theoretical framework for the study.
It was discovered that the new PVT scientific methodology using the short message system is quicker and more effective in the process of observing elections. The use of statistics makes the margin of error between its result and those of the electoral body very insignificant and very similar, thus attesting to the accuracy and reliability of the new methodology. The new approach has revolutionized the process of election observation in Nigeria and brought it at par with international standard and best practice. The research finding also shows that although the PVT scientific methodology is a paradigm shift from the traditional election observation methodology, and undoubtedly, very significant in proffering an advanced approach for engendering credible election outcomes, the PVT methodology has its own limitations within the context of election conduct.
Thus, it is recommended that the identified limitations of the PVT methodology and or such inadequacies need be allayed in other to engender for the optimal use of the methodology within all electoral context especially in Nigeria or an entirely advance methodology that assuages these limitations be researched into for a more efficient, effective and credible electoral outcome towards democratic governance.
Keywords: Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT), Election Observation, Democratic Governance
Election observation is an integral part of an electoral process. Basically, it helps to enhance the transparency and credibility of elections as well as the acceptance of results. More importantly, Non-partisan citizen observers play an important role during elections by raising public confidence in the electoral process, deterring electoral malfeasance, detecting and exposing irregularities, and providing citizens with important information concerning the integrity of elections. Despite the fact that Good Governance has assumed the front burner as an indispensable requisite for social, economic and political developments; it continues to be a source of concern and a big challenge to most countries including Nigeria. This work examines the traditional system of observing elections in Nigeria and its attendant limitations which called for a more acceptable and scientific approach to election observation. This led to the introduction and adoption of a new election observation methodology known as the parallel vote tabulation {PVT} or Quick Count.
The researcher adopted the Survey research methodology in conducting the study on the significance of the PARALLEL VOTE TABULATION (PVT) IN ELECTION OBSERVATION AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA. To do this, the researcher used both the primary and secondary sources of data. For primary data, Three hundred and seventy (370) questionnaires were randomly administered to selected respondents. Relevant materials from secondary data sources were also analyzed exploring existing literatures on the subject-matter and obtaining information from books, journals, reports, magazine, newspapers, the internet and other relevant sources. The quantitative analysis is done with the use of simple percentage and Chi-Square in chapter four where the data from questionnaires are analysed. The Systems theory was also adopted as the theoretical framework for the study.
It was discovered that the new PVT scientific methodology using the short message system is quicker and more effective in the process of observing elections. The use of statistics makes the margin of error between its result and those of the electoral body very insignificant and very similar, thus attesting to the accuracy and reliability of the new methodology. The new approach has revolutionized the process of election observation in Nigeria and brought it at par with international standard and best practice. The research finding also shows that although the PVT scientific methodology is a paradigm shift from the traditional election observation methodology, and undoubtedly, very significant in proffering an advanced approach for engendering credible election outcomes, the PVT methodology has its own limitations within the context of election conduct.
Thus, it is recommended that the identified limitations of the PVT methodology and or such inadequacies need be allayed in other to engender for the optimal use of the methodology within all electoral context especially in Nigeria or an entirely advance methodology that assuages these limitations be researched into for a more efficient, effective and credible electoral outcome towards democratic governance.
Keywords: Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT), Election Observation, Democratic Governance
Research Interests:
The workings of democracy and good governance is dependent on the extent to which citizens choices and voices are reflected in the process to attaining a democratic state, within which are a function of the pre, during and post-election... more
The workings of democracy and good governance is dependent on the extent to which citizens choices and voices are reflected in the process to attaining a democratic state, within which are a function of the pre, during and post-election periods. Though credible electoral outcomes are not a guarantee for a governance process that delivers true dividends of democracy to their citizen, the requisite for electing popular choices at the ballot remains sacrosanct to engendering democratic sustainability in Nigeria. This paper attempted to Xray the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) as an election observation tool towards deepening democracy and engendering credible electoral outcomes in Nigeria. The researcher adopted the qualitative research method and the Systems theory to contextualize the role of the PVT in elections and democracy. This paper submits that while the PVT has impacted significantly on electoral processes and outcomes since 2011 when it was first deployed, particularly in providing real time statistics on the electoral process and making appropriate recommendations for electoral reforms, there is no verified evidence that a good electoral process and outcome would lead to good governance. Therefore, credible electoral process and outcome is not an end but a step towards good governance. It also submits that election observation, over time have helped to give credibility to the electoral process, serving to deter the potentialities for irregularities, exposing fraud in the process and dousing plausible post-election violence as a conflict mitigation tool. It however recommends the need for CSOs to better synergize their election observation efforts as a complementary engagement for and with different stakeholders to engender effectual outcomes in Nigeria. It also recommends that, towards 2023 elections, efforts at electronic voting and transmission of results should be enacted and assented, as this would provide more ambience for the repose of citizen's trust in the electoral process and outcomes.
Research Interests:
Abstract There is a lot of disagreement about the specific relationship between poverty and conflict. While one school of thought thinks that poverty causes conflict, the other school of thought argues that only the reverse is true.... more
Abstract
There is a lot of disagreement about the specific relationship between poverty and conflict. While one school of thought thinks that poverty causes conflict, the other school of thought argues that only the reverse is true. Poverty is continuously cited as one of the principal factors responsible for instability in many parts of Africa. For example, West Africa contains 11 of the world’s 25 poorest countries and is currently one of the unstable regions of the World. With the end of the Cold War, poverty and conflict have become the biggest challenges to sustainable development. Most scholars, who have contributed to the Poverty-Conflict debate, took the position that poverty on its own cannot cause conflict, though a few others think otherwise. Focusing on Africa, this paper in contributing to this debate, briefly looks at the existing literatures including their theoretical and empirical positions. It then considers some of the primary variables: economic, political, and ethnicity that can help in the explanation of poverty-conflict issue. Thus, this paper attempted to underscore the nexus between poverty and conflict in Africa extrapolating on the propositions, interconnections and arguments amongst scholars to draw attention to an often-neglected cause of conflict. While there are disagreements about the specific interaction between poverty and conflict, there is no disputing that both impact negatively on development; though, it is clear that conflict impacts more on development than poverty. The researcher adopted the qualitative method, Friedrich Engels Concept of Dialectic Materialism to analyse the relative interconnectedness between poverty and conflict in Africa. This paper concludes that admittedly, the relationship between poverty and conflict is imprecise. Thus, argues that poverty is both a cause and a consequence of conflict. The relationship is two-way: poverty leads to conflict and vice versa. The paper also agrees that there are other variables that may directly or indirectly affect the risk of poverty on conflicts as highlighted succinctly in the Synthesis. It therefore recommends, amongst others, that, Africa leadership need create apposite social safety nets that effectively caters for her citizenry within the context of transparent and accountable governance responsive to the needs and aspirations of the greatest number.
Key words: Poverty, Conflict, Dialectic Materialism.
There is a lot of disagreement about the specific relationship between poverty and conflict. While one school of thought thinks that poverty causes conflict, the other school of thought argues that only the reverse is true. Poverty is continuously cited as one of the principal factors responsible for instability in many parts of Africa. For example, West Africa contains 11 of the world’s 25 poorest countries and is currently one of the unstable regions of the World. With the end of the Cold War, poverty and conflict have become the biggest challenges to sustainable development. Most scholars, who have contributed to the Poverty-Conflict debate, took the position that poverty on its own cannot cause conflict, though a few others think otherwise. Focusing on Africa, this paper in contributing to this debate, briefly looks at the existing literatures including their theoretical and empirical positions. It then considers some of the primary variables: economic, political, and ethnicity that can help in the explanation of poverty-conflict issue. Thus, this paper attempted to underscore the nexus between poverty and conflict in Africa extrapolating on the propositions, interconnections and arguments amongst scholars to draw attention to an often-neglected cause of conflict. While there are disagreements about the specific interaction between poverty and conflict, there is no disputing that both impact negatively on development; though, it is clear that conflict impacts more on development than poverty. The researcher adopted the qualitative method, Friedrich Engels Concept of Dialectic Materialism to analyse the relative interconnectedness between poverty and conflict in Africa. This paper concludes that admittedly, the relationship between poverty and conflict is imprecise. Thus, argues that poverty is both a cause and a consequence of conflict. The relationship is two-way: poverty leads to conflict and vice versa. The paper also agrees that there are other variables that may directly or indirectly affect the risk of poverty on conflicts as highlighted succinctly in the Synthesis. It therefore recommends, amongst others, that, Africa leadership need create apposite social safety nets that effectively caters for her citizenry within the context of transparent and accountable governance responsive to the needs and aspirations of the greatest number.
Key words: Poverty, Conflict, Dialectic Materialism.