If the court rules in favour of the APC candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be sworn in as president of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, following a challenging election on February 25. Despite INEC’s acknowledgement that there were some irregularities, the opposition leaders have refused to recognise the organization’s (INEC) proclamation that Tinubu won the poll.
The opposition parties, the Labour Party of Mr. Peter Obi and the PDP of Mr. Atiku Abubakar both dragged the case to court and demanded that President-elect Tinubu’s certificate be returned for a new election to be conducted. As a result of the election results and voting irregularities conducted by INEC, the nation is experiencing extreme anxiety.
CryptoAfricaNow (CAN) examines some of the possible ways that digital blockchain technology can tackle the issue of manual election fraud in Nigeria and other African nations. Here are some of the possibilities and advantages for eradicating election fraud in Africa using blockchain technology.
Digital blockchain technology has the potential to address several issues related to election fraud and irregularities in Nigeria and other African nations. Here are some possible ways in which blockchain technology could be used:
Voter Verification: Blockchain technology can be used to create a tamper-proof voter verification system that can help ensure the accuracy and validity of voters. By creating a decentralized database of eligible voters, blockchain can help prevent multiple voting and impersonation.
Transparency: Blockchain technology can provide a transparent and immutable record of all transactions related to the election. This can help prevent tampering with vote counts, as any attempt to alter the blockchain would be immediately detected.
Decentralization: Blockchain technology can enable the decentralization of the election process, allowing voters to participate in the process directly. This can help prevent centralized control of the election process and make it more difficult for any one party to manipulate the results.
Secure Data Transmission: Blockchain technology can be used to create a secure and decentralized network for transmitting and storing election data. This can help prevent interference and hacking by malicious actors.
Audit Trail: Blockchain technology can provide an audit trail of all transactions related to the election, including voter registration, vote counting, and result tabulation. This can help ensure transparency and accountability throughout the election process.
Overall, the use of blockchain technology can help promote transparency, accountability, and trust in the election process in Nigeria and other African nations. However, it should be noted that blockchain technology is not a panacea and must be implemented properly to be effective. Additionally, it is important to address the root causes of election fraud and irregularities, including political corruption and voter suppression, to ensure free and fair elections.
Francis Chinedu is a Nigerian-born digital marketing specialist, a bitcoin and blockchain enthusiast, and a YouTuber who enjoys covering events that empower young Africans, especially in technology.
