Election irregularities in Nigeria have systematically led to post-election dispute, forcing electoral management body to continuously deploy ICT instruments in a bid to addressing these irregularities. This study assessed the roles of ICTs played in mitigating post-election disputes in 2023 general elections in the country. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent ICTs mitigated 2023 post-election dispute in Nigeria. This study employed a mixed method of research design to collect data from purposively selected adult residents and elections stakeholders across (4) States randomly selected in the country. These States includes Kwara, Osun, Edo and Kaduna. Out of the (520) administered copies of questionnaire, (481) were retrieved back, while (25) interview sessions, which includes (15) KII and (10) IDI were conducted. Primary data collected were analyzed using descriptive and content analyses. Result of the findings showed that the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS)/Result Viewing Portal (IReV) eliminated incidences of ballot snatching/stuffing, discouraged manipulation of election result and reduced post-electoral violence. This study concluded that BVAS/IReV largely reduced 2023 post-election disputes. This study recommended among others that to increase the effectiveness of ICT in Nigeria’s future elections, the electoral law should be amended to compulsorily allow election result to be transmitted into INEC server and ensure that the general public has free access to it.
KeyWords: Election, Post-election dispute, ICTs, INEC, BVAS
Written by:
Sikiru Lanre Nurudeen, Ph.D
Department of Political Science and Public Administration,
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,
Al-Hikmah University Ilorin
Abdulazeez A. Adekola, Ph.D
Department of Political Science and Public Administration,
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,
Al-Hikmah University Ilorin
Adejumo Peter Olusegun
Center for Peace and Security Studies,
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,
Al-Hikmah University Ilorin.
E-mail: piro4jesus@gmail. Com
Phone number: 08035229045