By Happiness Edeawe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its readiness to conduct presidential, parliamentary, and governorship elections in Nigeria on a single day. However, the commission is waiting for the National Assembly to pass a law making this possible.
INEC’s Director of Operations, Adigun Hakeem, made this known during a policy dialogue on single-day elections in Abuja. He emphasized that while INEC is ready to implement the arrangement, it cannot do so without the National Assembly’s approval.
Hakeem explained that INEC’s primary focus is on conducting free, fair, and credible elections. He noted that the commission reviews its processes after every general election to identify areas for improvement.
“We are not just sitting down; we are waiting for the law from the National Assembly,” Hakeem said. “INEC cannot do it alone; all stakeholders must come together to make it happen.”
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Ezenwa Nwagwu, Executive Director of Partners for Electoral Reforms, supported the idea of single-day elections but highlighted the challenges posed by Nigeria’s difficult terrain and complex politics.
Nwagwu emphasized that Nigeria’s situation is unique and cannot be compared to other countries like the United States. He cited the country’s vast number of polling units, difficult terrain, and high levels of political illiteracy as major challenges.
“In some parts of the country, it takes several hours to reach some polling units,” Nwagwu said. “We need to consider the practical implications of holding single-day elections in Nigeria.”
Dr. Iroro S Izu, a lecturer at Nile University, Abuja, argued that Nigeria’s culture of conducting elections over several days is rooted in a broader culture of waste and lack of discipline.
Izu emphasized that holding single-day elections would require a significant shift in the country’s cultural values, prioritizing discipline, hard work, and seriousness over recklessness and misprioritization.
“The way we conduct our elections reflects our values as a society,” Izu said. “If we want to hold single-day elections, we need to be prepared to make significant changes to our cultural practices.”
The policy dialogue on single-day elections was organized to explore the feasibility of holding all elections in Nigeria on a single day. The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including electoral officials, civil society organizations, and academic
As Nigeria prepares for future elections, the debate on single-day elections is likely to continue. While there are valid arguments on both sides, one thing is clear: any decision on single-day elections must be based on careful consideration of the country’s unique challenges and cultural context.
