The call by some concerned citizens for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to release a detailed account of all monies received and expended on the electoral process can be regarded as an interrogation of the cost of running a democracy and conducting elections in Nigeria.

Importantly, the question arising is whether the country can, in the short or long term afford the huge financial outlay that has so far characterised democracy and in particular, conduct of elections.

This can be pitted against the wide public acceptance of running a democratic government as opposed to an autocracy on the one hand; and conversely, against the gains otherwise called dividends, real or perceived, of that democracy. Therefore, the call should not be dismissed casually. Indeed, for accountability in all dimensions of the electoral processes, the call must be amplified and supported until INEC and the Chairman yields to the request. Depending on the outcome of such inquiry, it may be necessary to determine whether or not there is need to exploit another or other options of running a democracy or conducting elections.

Apart from the fact that the electoral commission budgeted a huge amount of N305 billion for the 2023 general Elections, one major reason for this accountability is the gap between what INEC promised before the elections and what played out eventually. Overall, the elections may be credible, but many loopholes have been noticed. In any case, aggrieved parties have headed for the courts. If all monies requested were released to INEC, then what else is the reason for the observed lapses? Could INEC not fund its logistics? If they did, at what cost to tax-paying Nigerians?

It has been observed several times that Nigeria runs, perhaps, the most expensive democracy in the world. The political actors across the three tiers of government are arguably the highest paid group when compared to their counterparts in other parts of the world. Generous allowances and other perks are also available to them. Despite all of the comfort accruing to the political class, the expected dividends of democracy have eluded Nigerians, 24 years since the present democratic governance.

The institutions birthing this democratic process along with the political and bureaucratic class owe Nigerians some explanations which should be made available promptly, openly and widely. It is against this background that The Guardian supports the call by the human rights lawyer, Omirhobho, (The Guardian, March 7, 2023) to hold INEC and its chairman accountable.

INEC as an institution in the service of the people should respond timeously to this call. We are not unaware of the civil service bureaucratic procedure concerning the release, utilisation and accounting for funds. Such procedures usually would not go beyond the ‘secret’ files in the supervising ministries. Transparency and accountability demand more than that. Transparency and accountability must not only be done, it must be seen to have been done.

Thankfully, Nigerians can rely on the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to demand for the publication of information held by government agencies. It is actually surprising that only few human rights groups and journalists have availed themselves of the relevant provisions of the Act. Perhaps as we match on in the democratic journey, more awareness will be created for the average Nigerian and groups to take advantage of the Act to enforce their rights to a transparent and accountable society.

Relying on this Act, the human rights lawyer requested Certified True Copies (CTC) and proof of receipts of the total funds from January 1, 2019 to date. He also requested, “such sums and payments received from the Federal Government available to the Commission for the performance of its functions; such sums as may be credited to the fund by way of interest from investments made from the fund; aids, grants or any other accruals to the Commission to perform its functions and, the election dues due to the Commission for the 2023 general elections released to the Commission”, among other related demands.

According to the Election Plan Project (EPP) of the Commission, INEC had proposed the sum of N305 billion for the conduct of the 2023 general elections. Throughout the world, electioneering has remained an expensive venture especially in developing and post conflict democracies.

As noted by Dataphyte, a media research and data analytics organisation, the Average Cost per Registered Voter Index (COVI) is used to determine the adequacy of election funding. For established and stable democracies, the average cost per voter is pegged at $1 to $3. In transitional democracies, it ranges from $4 to $8, and $9 and above in post-conflict and some transitional democracies.

Using COVI, INEC arrived at $5.39 per voter for an estimated 100 million registered voters. The EPP document used N565 to $1 parallel market exchange rate, which means that the actual figure would beN304.54billion but was rounded to N305 billion.

Aside from the above figures for fixed costs, INEC explained that, “it will also receive support from development partners for some of its electoral activities such as training, capacity building , civic and voter education, production of information, education and communication materials, and engagement with stakeholders which are all geared towards strengthening the integrity of the electoral process, promoting citizens’ participation, and enhancing advocacy for inclusivity with reference to women, youth, persons with disability and other marginalized groups.”

With the lofty ideas enunciated above and the support of the domestic and international organisations, Nigerians legitimately expected a hitch free exercise. Top on the list of expectations, was the seamless operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), an electronic device designed to read permanent voter cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters.

It was also expected to transmit results immediately. Even though, it largely verified voters, the transmission of results expectation was bungled. This coming after a huge budgetary allocation and international support for training on the deployment and use, irked many Nigerians. So, the demand for accountability which ordinarily should be routine, assumes a more salient and urgent imperative.