ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIA PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study examines the influence of electronic-voting System on infrastructural development in Nigeria. The study used secondary data to generate relevant information to explore the justification for adopting Card Reader machine in the 2015 election as a initial experiment for the e - voting system in Nigeria. The result shows that the application of CR and PVC has significantly play down election frauds in the 2015 general election, thus, signifying the chances for adopting e-voting technology in the subsequent general elections. The study also revealed that since non-performing leaders were voted out during the last election, it is an indication that the incumbent leaders and prospective candidates would be committed to infrastructural development especially road construction, provision of effective health facilities, improved education, effective implementation of poverty intervention schemes among others. Excessive interference with INEC activities and failure of CR machines are general challenges encountered during the elections. The study therefore, recommend rigorous practical training for the ad-hoc personnel, and ratification of laws with severe punishment to allow INEC discharge its duties as an independent institution to restrain unnecessary interruption.