Democracy Blooming from the Ground Up in Nigeria
November 28, 2012
Although Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999, elections conducted since then have been inconsistent in quality and credibility. While the most recent general elections in April 2011 represented a huge improvement over the previous three, held in 1999, 2003 and 2007, elections remain a litmus test for the country’s democratic institutions. The health of Nigeria’s democracy will rest on the nation’s ability to deliver consistent and credible elections in the years ahead.
Institutional Development,
All Election Management
From Ballots to Touch Screens: Integrating Technology into Voting
June 22, 2012
Digital ballot readers, electronic results transmission systems and SMS messaging to inform the electorate can help countries streamline and improve the electoral process. As election management bodies turn to technology to help run elections, they must take their country's cultural, political and legal context into consideration to ensure the new systems enhance — and don't disrupt — democracy. This gallery shows some of the technological tools that are being used around the world.
Election Technology,
All Election Management
Nigerians Vote in Multiple National Elections
May 26, 2011
Nigeria held a series of nationwide elections in April 2011, beginning with National Assembly polls on April 9 and a presidential election on April 16. Elections for state governors were held on April 26 in most parts of the country but delayed until April 28 in two states due to violence following the presidential vote. After registering to vote in January and February, Nigerians underwent a voter accreditation process in the morning of each election day before casting their ballots in the afternoon. Despite the considerable security challenges, the polls were considered generally fair and credible by international observers.
Elections,
Election Observation
Shopping for 21,220 lanterns in Nigeria
April 26, 2011
We began our search for 21,220 lanterns on Wednesday morning when we left Abuja for Lagos. We had received an urgent request from USAID the previous afternoon; the United States government wanted to support Nigeria’s Independent National Election Commission (INEC) by providing indelible ink markers and rechargeable lanterns for Saturday’s presidential election.
Elections
IFES Observes Voter Registration in Nigeria
February 23, 2011
More than 65 million Nigerians registered to vote between January 15 and February 8 for the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in April. IFES conducted unofficial monitoring in the southern and northeastern regions of the country in order to give feedback on the registration process and results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. INEC experienced technical problems with the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines used to register voters and faced serious challenges deploying machines and registration workers across the country. However, at the end of the period, many civil society groups gave the exercise positive marks and Nigerians remained enthusiastic for the upcoming polls.
Elections,
Voter Registration