South Africa’s Efficient Electoral Process Sets A Benchmark For Nigeria – Peter Obi

Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the contentious 2023 elections, has lauded South Africa’s electoral conduct in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), emphasising the stark contrast between the two nations’ approaches to democracy.

Obi noted that South Africa’s electoral process, marked by a 60% voter turnout and a seamless, real-time dissemination of results, showcased what a robust democratic system should look like.

Over 90% of polling stations opened on time, and diaspora voting was included. The South African elections ran without significant technical glitches.

The Election Results Centre, equipped with a state-of-the-art electronic board, provided accurate and swift updates, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to transparency and technological advancement in governance.

In his statement, Obi contrasted this with Nigeria’s 2023 elections, which were marred by numerous challenges and allegations of fraud. With less than 30% voter turnout and over 60% of polling stations which opened late, the Nigerian electoral process faced widespread irregularities and technical issues.

Despite an enormous expenditure of about a billion dollars, including a direct allocation of ₦313 billion and support from donor agencies, the process was widely discredited, casting a shadow over Nigeria’s democratic integrity.

“The differences between the two countries’ electoral processes are both stark and lamentable,” Obi remarked. “South Africa’s example is a painful reminder of our ongoing struggles with democratic governance. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms in Nigeria to ensure our elections are free, fair, and credible.”

Obi called for action, highlighting the pressing need for Nigeria to adopt measures that restore faith in its electoral system.

He stressed the importance of learning from South Africa’s approach to build a more reliable and transparent system that can uphold the democratic principles Nigerians aspire to.

“We must learn from South Africa’s example and strive to build a system that restores the people’s faith in our democracy. The time for action is now, and we cannot afford to delay any longer in addressing these critical issues,” Obi urged.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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