With the Edo and Ondo States governorship elections fast approaching, a new survey by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development has raised concerns about public trust in the electoral process.
The Deputy Director, Accountability Programme, Mboho Eno, raised the concerns at a press conference in Abuja on Monday.
The survey, part of CJID’s Media in National Election project, sought to understand public perceptions of electoral institutions and gauge citizen readiness to participate in the off-cycle elections.
The survey revealed that only 36 per cent of respondents have confidence in the elections being conducted fairly, while an equal percentage doubt the judiciary’s ability to impartially resolve disputes that may arise from the Edo and Ondo polls, scheduled for September 21 and November 16, 2024.
“The survey highlights a troubling trend of distrust towards electoral processes and institutions. Only 36 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in the elections being conducted fairly and credibly.
“Similarly, 36 per cent expressed skepticism about the judiciary’s impartiality in resolving election disputes. This significant trust deficit poses a risk to voter turnout and overall engagement,” Eno noted.
The skepticism follows Nigeria’s recent national elections, which were marred by voter apathy and controversial court rulings, casting a shadow over the integrity of the upcoming gubernatorial contests.
The CJID survey suggested that, without immediate reforms, voter turnout could drop significantly, further weakening faith in the democratic process.
One of the most worrying trends highlighted in the survey is the low level of political engagement among voters.
Despite many being registered to vote, only 25 percent of respondents said they are active members of political parties.
Many voters expressed doubts about whether political parties truly represent their interests, potentially dampening participation in the off-cycle elections.
“Despite a substantial number of registered voters participating in the survey, only 25 per cent were active members of political parties.
“Many respondents also questioned the ability of political parties to genuinely represent their interests,” the survey revealed.
Media coverage also came under scrutiny. While 57 percent of respondents found election reporting to be fair, a large portion believed that media outlets were biased or indifferent.
Half of the respondents used social media as their main source of election information, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation and disinformation as election day approaches.
In response to these findings, CJID has called for immediate reforms to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
The organisation recommended comprehensive voter education campaigns, particularly targeting women, youth, and people with disabilities, as well as integrating electoral education into school curricula.
CJID also stresses the need for adopting election technologies and reforming the Independent National Electoral Commission to streamline its operations.
The report further urges media organizations to take a more active role in combating misinformation and promoting balanced, people-centered election reporting.
It also recommends the implementation of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms to simplify and speed up the election petition process.
“The CJID advocates for the use of appropriate election technologies and reforms to streamline INEC’s roles.
“Enhance transparency and fairness in party processes to restore public confidence.
“Encourage media organisations to tackle information disorders and adopt a people-centered approach to election reporting,” the investigation revealed.
The survey, which gathered responses from 2,156 participants with Permanent Voter Cards across Edo and Ondo States, was conducted using both online and offline methods to ensure inclusivity, particularly in rural areas.
