Votes for money is a major problem with our electioneering process. From party primaries to conventions and elections proper, it’s the same story. Once we are able to resolve this issue, then we will be on our way to real development. Be certain though that it may take us another decade or two to achieve this feat. Politicians naturally want power and some are willing to get it at all cost.
Naturally, Men like short cuts and this is compounded by the age we live in. Paying for votes, as a short cut to power, frees the candidate from the stress of doing too much work and removes the burden of making promises that may never be fulfilled. One doesn’t require any ideology, no need for long nights reading or preparing speeches or future plans. It is therefore very attractive especially when there is a free fund. Even when the fund isn’t free, there is the chance of recouping once investment almost a hundred times especially since no/vague promises were made to the electorates.
However, the future stays bleak for any candidate/party that remains on this path for too long attractive as it may seem. With the level of technological advancement and preponderance of knowledge, people are getting more enlightened and over time, this path will lead to extinction for both party and candidate. Also, in terms of legacy, a government that came to power via vote buying will almost have no legacy to leave behind. History therefore will have very sad stories to say about the government and characters that formed that government.
In view of the need to create growth and development, installing responsible governments is a sine qua non. It is my humble view that to nip the trend of vote buying in the bud, candidates, political parties and the electoral umpire will have to do the following:
· Parties must be democratic and transparent. In the past, candidates paid for tickets, votes and felt no responsibility towards the party or the people. This resulted in a situation were the interest of the candidate superseded that of the party and the electorates. Candidates also lost respect for party leaders after winning elections because they paid for both tickets and votes. This is to some extent is responsible for the sorry state the PDP found itself especially after the 2015 elections.
· Political parties desire power. To this extent, educating the electorate is their responsibility. It is a fact that the level of illiteracy in the country is high but this shouldn’t be a barrier. Political parties must immediately begin the process of sensitization and enlightenment of the electorate in our local dialects and in pidgin English. This will go a long way to addressing the issue of vote buying.
· Parties must mature to the extent that no individual interest is above that of the party. The interest of all members must come under that of the party.
· Candidates must be credible and this can be checked to some extent using the antecedents, work experience/record etc. No man can give what he doesn’t have and so long as we continue to field those who lack integrity/credibility, the system will remain stymied.
· The entire process should be made less expensive. This can be done via reducing participation fees. If possible, only successful candidates should pay nomination fees. All other candidates should only pay for the expression of interest form.
· The Chairman of the party at state and national levels should be the party Leader. Having Governors and Presidents as party leaders has robbed parties of their democratic element. It has given enormous powers to these people and undermined the party as an institution. The party Chairman should be able to tell truth to power. In the same vein, elected officials should not have the power to install/remove party leaders. This will grant them independence and help us democratically.
· The electoral body must be made truly independent. When people believe that their votes will not count, selling becomes a better option. The President should be stripped off the powers to appoint the Chairman of the electoral umpire. Another body (perhaps the National Judicial Council) should recommend a Chairman to the National Assembly. The electoral umpire should also be placed on the first line charge. This will to a large extent reduce political interference with its activities.
