This topical issue has assumed a Nigerian factor and a status unprecedented in recent times: as it has been categorized into major and minor electoral malpractices. It is so because electoral malpractices have been given a monumental term and a name – rigging. At a later stage of political development in Nigeria, it was addressed as a wholesale rigging owing to the rate of inflated electoral figures. This has now become a buzz word which connotes the complete subversion of the will of the people. It suggests that the true outcome of the electoral exercise is replaced with false results, the will of a group usually the government in power.
More so without enumerating the electoral malpractices inherent in Nigeria political landmark: there exists minor electoral malpractices which would probably take place in any human endeavour. But these minor electoral malpractices are not sufficient enough to change the electoral outcome in any way. Likewise, wholesale electoral malpractices delegitimize the moral stand of society in the eyes of all, especially the young and the intellect. In any society where the youth in particular realize that the political leaders, role models, who speak in high sounding language about integrity and tight values and are in facts cheats calls to mind a lot of factors.
This people are willing to falsify documents and engage in multiple thumb printing of electoral materials, the sustenance of societal values, such as the truth, honesty, the triumph of good over evil, become increasingly empty promises. Electoral cheating and dishonesty become acceptable which is the bane of our electoral malpractices in Anambra State in particular and Nigeria in general. Consequently, the reason why the multidimensional nature of electoral malpractices is dangerous to society is that it gets worse with every successful attempt to stop the menace.
Historically, it all started as far back as 1964, electoral malpractices has grown steadily worse and more daring and how the last elections has been described as worse and notorious in all electoral matters. The widespread electoral malpractice and the staggering scale of falsified results were possibly because of serious shortcomings within regulatory authority -- the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This agency failed to present itself as the impartial umpire and became inefficient and non-transparent. Hence, in its regulations became an accessory to active electoral rigging and numerous electoral malpractices bedeviling this nation, Nigeria.
The electoral malpractices are more aggravated by the impunity displayed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Federal Government in year 2007 on account of the knowledge that such conduct has never in the past been punished is a source of great concern for the future of Democracy in Nigeria. With the above statements, to what extent will electoral malpractices rise to before something meaningful and tangible can be done about it? It is on this note that I will suggest thus; there appears the need for the institutionalization of body to foresee issue of stringent punishment of offenders in electoral matters.
Summarily, it is only and only when this is instituted and implemented that the issue of electoral malpractices will be a thing and crime of the past. This is in view of the 2011 general election coming soon. That when we are talking of federal character we can be able to talk on a serious note and action electoral character. Reader, how do you view this suggestion and call to action to avert more electoral malpractices and cushion the fledgling democracy in Nigeria to grow.
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