Steemit Engagement Challenge S8-W3 | Elections in my Country.

Hi Friends ❤️

How do you do? I trust you're great! I decided to join an engagement contest in this community Today been Saturday 18 March 2023 because it's an election day in my country, yeah the Governorship and State Assemblies Elections. I'm not exercising my franchise because I'm politically neutral, but that notwithstanding I'm watching it live at home, to know what is going on in each polling unit across the country, and from what I'm seeing so far and people's comments I can say that it's peaceful and everything is running smoothly. Let me hint to you about elections in Nigeria.

What I think about Elections in Nigeria:

Nigeria is a democratic Nation as such political leaders are being elected into power by the people through a process known as election since 1998. The election opens an avenue for Citizens of a particular country to efficiently and peacefully choose political leaders by the casting of votes.

Election in Nigeria is transitional, what do I mean? it's improving year after year due to new technological inventions and innovation, again citizens now get to know the true meaning of democracy and their rights. Before now elections in Nigeria used to be bloody, violent here and there, and rigging at the highest order, this cause political apathy among citizens but especially the youth.

Over the years the Democratic system in Nigeria has been questioned, people used to question the credibility of Nigeria electoral process and elections. Our election is normally challenged as not being free and fair and this has posed a serious legitimacy question for our political leaders.

What do you think about the electoral system in your country?

We have a detailed constitutional arrangement and voting system in Nigeria which has helped in converting the vote into a political decision.

How is it done in Nigeria?

^BEVAS

In Nigeria the first step is The registration and distribution of the permeant voter's card (PCVS) to citizens.

The body overseeing the affairs of Elections in Nigeria is known as (the INEC) Independent National Electoral Commission, they've been in existence since the adoption of democracy in 1998.

Before the selected election date NOMINATIONS normally take place, where different candidates will be chosen by different political parties for possible election to a public office.

An election CAMPAIGN is a crucial part of the electoral process where a nominated candidate tries to woo the masses to vote for him or her on election day, sensitizing citizens on what his/her government will do for the people and criticizing the opponent.

SUFFRAGE: An eligible age to vote and be voted for is 18 Years.

The TALLY OF VOTES for this there are various vote countings systems like card reader, BALLOT 🗳️ and the BEVAS. But what is using recently is the ballot and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BEVAS) "It is designed to read permanent Voters' cards' authenticity of the voter during accreditation. After voting it is used to upload results from polling units to the results viewing portal in real-time on the election day using the voter's fingerprint or facial authentication of voters"

Is it transparent and fair in your country...

That's why I said from the beginning that elections in my country are transitional, it's getting better year after year and I believe Nigeria will operate a truly democratic system soon where people will hold corrupt political leaders accountable for their wrongs, it's happening gradually the last three weeks ago elections is showing this, before now it has always been two political parties, PAP ~ People's Democratic party, and APC ~ All Progressive Congress, but new Political parties like the LP ~ Labour Party comes in and many of them have elected candidates in Federal Assemblies! Some even overthrew the sitting senators and Governors, so it's a recommended democratic progress

^{Counting of result going on}

BEVAS was fully used for Federal Assemblies Elections, and everyone was satisfied with the outcome of the Election, but not presidential reasons technical challenges and this caused a lot of citizens to be dissatisfied, and feel that their votes do not count, and the result is that there's low turn-up in today's election ~voter's Apathy but so far as I stated before everywhere is calm and peaceful, and the BEVAS are working perfectly well today so the results are counted at the polling units and uploaded in BEVAS. What can I even say then, I hope the will of the people will stand in this election. Well, let's hope for the best.

Assuming there's no fairness and effectiveness as far as elections are concerned, Solutions I can propose to ensure it's being carried out the right way:

Well for Free and fair elections the BEVAS should be fully utilized and put into use, and party agents should be honest and free from corruption. Voters should be sensitized to know their rights not to sell their votes for peanuts. And the will of the people should always prevail to avoid political/Voters Apathy as we see today.

Conclusions:

Election is surely an essential pillar of democracy, it ensures that the government is of the people, by the people, and for the people. It makes it possible for first citizens to exercise their will in choosing political leaders through a franchise. Election help in keeping political leaders in check, knowing that they will be voted out of their seats if they don't perform well, it makes the to be accountable. Thank you for reading me! Hello my dear friend @shiftitamanna, @eliany, and @ashkhan join this contest.