Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general polls, Peter Obi has emphasized the importance of free and credible elections, stating that democracy and good governance cannot thrive where the electoral process is compromised, and public confidence in electoral outcomes is eroded.
He made the assertion while recounting his experience during a recent visit to Indonesia, where he held discussions with the Chairman and Secretary-General of Indonesia’s General Elections Commission (KPU), Mr. Bernard Sutrisno, about the nation’s electoral process—a system that stands in stark contrast to Nigeria’s.
“Still, in my Indonesia experience, one of the greatest obstacles to credible democracy and consequently, good governance in Nigeria is the lack of credible elections, brought about by the glaring weakness of our electoral institutions and the persistent disregard for the rule of law,” he said.
Obi explained that based on his discussion with Sutrisno, it was evident what effects a proper electoral process have on fostering an enduring democracy in a country
He alluded to the level of confidence that voters in Indonesia have in that country’s electoral process, adding that Indonesia has consistently recorded over 70 percent voter participation in national elections, with the most recent election in 2024, reaching 81 percent.
“In contrast, Nigeria, despite having 94 million registered voters, recorded an abysmal turn-out of less than 25 percent—a direct consequence of growing distrust in the electoral process.
“A key highlight of our discussion on electoral transparency centered on candidate qualification. To contest in Indonesia’s presidential elections, a candidate must provide verifiable records of primary, secondary, and at least a university degree.
Non-compliance leads to immediate disqualification.
“Beyond educational qualifications, candidates must also meet strict eligibility criteria. They must secure the endorsement of at least 25 percent of National Assembly members or have obtained at least 20 percent of the votes in the previous presidential election.
“For vote counting, all ballots must be counted at the polling booth and recorded in the presence of the public, particularly representatives of various political parties. Any disputes that arise are resolved immediately at the booth level, to ensure transparency and accountability,” Obi said.
He added that a candidate is only declared winner, if they secure at least above 50 percent of the total votes, and if no candidate meets this threshold, a run-off election is conducted between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
The LP presidential candidate declared that vote buying and electoral offences are minimal in Indonesia, due to the strong role of security agencies, and the swift prosecution of disputes through the constitutional courts.
Also, he said Indonesia’s National Assembly follows a proportional representation system, ensuring a more equitable distribution of political power.
“In the event of an elected legislator resigning or defecting to another party or dying, the party automatically replaces such a person because the votes he got were for the party, not in his personal capacity.
“Because of that, defection is not an option and helps the stability of parties and the government to build alliances.
“While conducting an independent survey by engaging with people in public spaces at the airport to gauge their views on leadership, the economy, and the electoral process, it became evident that their confidence in the electoral body remains strong.
“For most of them, if there is no trust, why hold elections?
Our conversation underscored a crucial reality: democracy is only as strong as the institutions that uphold it.
“Without an independent and credible electoral body, a judiciary that enforces electoral laws without bias, and a political culture that respects democratic principles, elections become nothing more than a ritualistic exercise devoid of legitimacy and continued bad governance.
“If Nigeria is to truly embrace democracy, we must urgently reform our electoral system, and strengthen our institutions that oversee our electoral process to shore public trust in the process,” Obi stated.
