Nigerian Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age

The study acknowledged that the adoption of digitised technologies as tools for enhancing reliability in the conduct of elections is becoming more widely embraced globally and, therefore, sought to examine Nigeria’s experience in that context. The study noted that with the conduct of elections in the current age becoming sophisticated, as a result of the dynamics of technological advancements, the use of manual arrangements of elections is being reduced to the barest minimum. Consequently, this study sought to pay attention to the current status, challenges and evolving trends, and associated issues of election management, and the role of the government in Nigeria, through its designated institution, with a view to making projections for future considerations in election conduct and management. The study adopted a literature-based approach to underpin the context and consequently provided analytical reviews of some notable and actual occurrences that characterised the actual conduct of elections in recent past in the country. The study noted the significance of an enabling legislation, as enacted by the government, to govern election management in the country and concluded by suggesting measures considered relevant to maintain and support a digitised electoral process in Nigeria, including ensuring relatively reliable and stable power supply and the acquisition and effective deployment of relevant ICT-enabled electoral devices, among other resources.