ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE: A STUDY OF 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, conducted under the enhanced provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act, were intended to strengthen electoral integrity through innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). However, the process was marred by operational shortcomings, technological failures, and incidents of violence, raising concerns about transparency and public trust. Guided by the Rational Choice Theory, this study examined the extent to which these elections advanced democratic governance and identified persistent challenges undermining credibility. The research adopted a qualitative approach, drawing on primary data from interviews with electoral officials, observers, and political actors, as well as secondary sources including INEC reports, legal documents, and scholarly literature. The study found that while BVAS and IReV improved aspects of voter accreditation and result transmission, inconsistent deployment, logistical delays, and limited contingency planning significantly weakened their effectiveness. The study further found technology alone cannot guarantee credibility unless supported by strong infrastructure, real-time technical support, and consistent implementation across all regions. Electoral violence, misinformation, and inadequate enforcement of electoral laws further eroded confidence in the process. Additionally, political exclusivity and unequal access to campaign resources hindered fair competition. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening INEC’s operational capacity, upgrading electoral technology with offline backup protocols, fostering deeper collaboration between INEC, security agencies, and civil society, expanding voter education, enforcing accountability for electoral offences, and promoting political inclusivity. If implemented, these measures could enhance electoral integrity, foster public trust, and advance Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.