One Man Seven Votes, It sounds funny, but like a syndrome if not well cared for, may be the end result as we prepare for our general elections with the daily increase in crimes, importation of arms, missing records of electoral materials and societal unrest. Few Nigerians today go to sleep with both eyes closed, but for those who have their possession on their palms, two eyes closed is very expensive.
Yes so much has been done to put a credible INEC in place to prepare for a general election come 2011. This all important journey began with the request of the chairman of the INEC, Professor Attaihiru Jega, for a change in the election date, a submission which was granted. The INEC chairman had, in September, called for a change in the election time of the 2011 general election from January to April to enable him to do a good job for Nigerians. He made the request while fielding questions from the 63 political party leaders in Abuja, saying that the reality on ground was that the commission had missed a number of its timelines that were essential to the registration of voters as well as the recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff for the elections.
The next line of duty was to ask for the purchase of direct data capture machines (DDCM) to be used for the registration of voters. The machines valued at over N33.827billion are central to the actualization of the voter registration as well as the proper election come April. We pray it comes true.
It is very interesting to note that, the Federal government has, from all indications, been responsive to the requests of INEC, perhaps to free itself from any allegations of being counterproductive. This could be seen through the release of necessary funds to the electoral body as at when due. Both the Presidency and the National Assembly have had reasons to adjust in order to support the electoral body and make sure that nothing endangers a free election and handover dates. For Jega the non-availability of the 2010 Electoral Act would hamper the schedule of the elections and the only hurdle in the way of the conduct of credible poll is the controversy surrounding the amendment of the 1999 constitution as well as the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to promptly sign into law the Electoral Act.
Again, Jaga asked the Federal Government to make available N87.7 billion within a specified period, which the National Assembly had to rush through despite perceived inconsistencies in the estimates. President Jonathan had also promptly given his assent to the 2010 Electoral Act in spite of his reservations about some provisions in the bill, which has today become questionable. Recently, President Jonathan released another sum of 1.95 billion naira for the purchase of new ballot boxes. All these for elections; if I may ask, where are the machines used by Maurice Iwu? I suppose in a warehouse waiting to be shipped back outside the country, recycled and sent back to us by another INEC chairman. In every election we spend so much just to make some parasite rich at the expense of basic amenities lacking in some communities. Enough of all these foolish and deceptive attitudes.
A little leap into Ivory coast last general election; I am very sure that all the materials for elections demanded by her electoral body were meant, but it was very unfortunate that those who served as instrument to release these funds had the intention to distort the elections if they do not return to power. The rivalry between Alassane Ouatara and Gbagbo in their presidential elections is simply not that of machines, but of common sense that has been clouded with greed and selfishness. What a pity.
I sympathize with the new INEC leadership because there exist within INEC some and throughout Nigeria persons who have irreversibly and shamelessly sworn to perpetuate evil come 2011. This is a monstrous challenge to President Jonathan, Prof. Jega and well-meaning Nigerians who earnestly desire a breath of fresh electoral relief. It is conceivably the greatest amongst all the hurdles to free and credible elections in the country. The average Nigerian politician openly and noisily conceives and campaign for free and fair elections while secretly advocating and instigating electoral malpractices and fraud.
I am convinced that, nobody who has spent 5 million in purchasing a gubernatorial ticket will want to see it slip his or her face; they will go out to connive with any authority, just to remain or gain power into political position.
To avoid the One Man Seven Votes syndrome, Nigerians, especially those in power will have to get rid of all the following seven vices, each standing for one negative vote.
Bribery: A bribe like we know is a payment given personally to a government official in exchange of his use of official powers. Bribery requires two participants: one to give the bribe, and one to take it. Either may initiate the corrupt offering; for example, a customs official may demand bribes to allowed (or disallowed) goods, or a smuggler might offer bribes to gain passage. Within us today this has extended to every aspect of our public life, making it extremely difficult for individuals to stay in public offices without resorting to bribes. I am afraid because some individuals may demand for bribe in order to bypass laws and regulations, just to keep looters in power.
Governmental corruption of judiciary: Governmental corruption of judiciary includes governmental spending on the courts, which is completely financially controlled by the executive in many countries and ours is not an exception. This undermines the principle of checks and balances and creates a critical financial dependence on the judiciary. It covers concealed governmental spending on the judiciary in the form of privileges cars, houses, expenses. Such a system is completely outside the realm of transparency and creates a standard for those in the judiciary to work in favour for those who grease their palm, for it is said; “he who plays the pipe dictates the tune”. This is not without exceptions.
Nepotism and cronyism: Favouring relatives (nepotism) or personal friends (cronyism) of an official is a form of illegitimate private gain. This may be combined with bribery. It is said that unemployment is striving hard because of the singular act of nepotism (My brother or my sister will get the job). For cronyism it can be termed an "old boy network", in which appointees to official positions are selected only from a closed and exclusive social network instead of appointing the most competent candidate.
Electoral fraud is illegal interference with the process of an election. Acts of fraud affect vote counts to bring about an election result, whether by increasing the vote share of the favoured candidate, depressing the vote share of the rival candidates, or both. Also called voter fraud, the mechanisms involved include illegal voter registration, intimidation at polls, and improper vote counting. This is what every Nigerian should avoid to avert One Man Seven Votes syndrome.
Kickbacks: A daily routine in most offices. The only way government officials share off misappropriated funds allocated towards the development of certain areas or communities. Today, we see leaders in charge of contracts allocating them to companies that are not the best bidder, or allocate more than they deserve. In this case, the companies involved benefits greatly, and in exchange for betraying the public, the official receives a kickback payment, which is a portion of the sum the company received. This sum itself may be all or a portion of the difference between the actual (inflated) payment to the company and the (lower) market-based price that would have been paid had the bidding been competitive. Kickbacks are not limited to government officials; any situations in which people are entrusted to spend funds that do not belong to them are prone to this kind of vice.
Unholy alliance: A forum for politician to form alliance among themselves, especially if one has a hidden agenda. Like patronage, unholy alliances are not necessarily illegal, but unlike patronage, by its deceptive nature and often great financial resources, an unholy alliance can be much more dangerous to the public interest. Politicians who involve in this vice end up thinking and talking much of themselves rather than the general public.
Organized crime: It is devilish to see us maltreating ourselves with the scourge of Kiddnapping and bank robbery. These are basically the features of a nation when election is drawing close. Banks are not safe anymore, even those who go to the bank as citizen are not comfortable getting their money because of politician who are looking for money to campaign and buy electorate. Again, when youth who are ambitious tend to vile for positions like councilors and council worker, and have no means of funding themselves, crime is the next option. We have to change and cut our coat according to our cloth.
To advert what seems like a syndrome, all hands must be on deck to work for the success of Prof. Jega's effort to conduct a free and fair election, the private sector and civil society must assist Government in fighting all scourge that can promote one man seven vote syndrome. Only then will Nigerian be able to achieve a credible election and write her name in gold, among developing nations.
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