Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reiterated the need for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s electoral system to strengthen democracy and restore public confidence in the voting process.
Obi emphasized that without a credible electoral system, good governance would remain elusive. He made these remarks on Wednesday while discussing his engagement with Indonesia’s electoral commission.
The former Anambra State governor pointed out that Nigeria’s weak electoral institutions and disregard for the rule of law are major obstacles to democratic growth.
His words: “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.
“Democracy and good governance cannot thrive where the electoral process is compromised, and public confidence in its outcomes is eroded.”
Obi shared insights from his discussions with Indonesia’s General Elections Commission (KPU), highlighting key differences between both countries’ electoral systems.
He noted that Indonesia’s elections consistently record over 70% voter participation, with the 2024 elections reaching an impressive 81%. In contrast, Nigeria’s voter turnout remains below 25%, a reflection of the deep distrust in the electoral system.
According to him, one major takeaway from Indonesia’s system is its strict candidate qualification process.
“A key highlight of our discussion on electoral transparency centred 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% of National Assembly members or have obtained at least 20% of the votes in the previous presidential election.”
Obi also commended Indonesia’s transparent vote-counting system, where ballots are tallied in public view, and any disputes are resolved at the polling booth.
“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.
“A candidate is only declared the winner if they secure at least 50%+1 of the total votes. If no candidate meets this threshold, a runoff election is conducted between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. Vote buying and electoral offences are minimal due to the strong role of security agencies and the swift prosecution of disputes through the constitutional courts,” the LP chieftain added.
He further highlighted how Indonesia’s National Assembly uses a proportional representation system, ensuring that political power is distributed fairly. This structure, he explained, helps prevent defection among elected lawmakers, unlike Nigeria’s system, where party-switching is common.
Obi’s experience in Indonesia reinforced his belief that democracy thrives only when institutions function independently and without bias.
“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.”