Election in the Midst of a Pandemic: The Edo and Ondo Experiment

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently preparing to conduct elections for the first time ever in the midst of a pandemic.

The elections in Edo and Ondo are slated for September 19, and October 10, 2020 respectively. However, the two states are currently battling to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The two neighbouring states recently recorded rising numbers in coronavirus cases which makes you to wonder how social distancing can be ensured during an election. Knowing fully well the political terrain of Nigeria with open ballot system.

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Based on the most recent guidelines provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). It is certain that it would be difficult to safely conduct an election in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is urging INEC, political parties, politicians and election monitors to place a premium on the lives of the electorates by adhering strictly to the guideline, bearing in mind that the deadly virus thrives in a mass gathering.

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The big questions here include; 1. can the electorate adhere to social distancing guidelines? 2. Can INEC conduct a free and fair election in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic crisis. These are only a few questions, but there are many more on the minds of Nigerians. Particularly the residents of the states planning to go to the polls.

Knowing fully well that face shield is not enough to protect people from contracting the dreaded virus. The government is appealing to people to comply with the protective measures by limiting mass gatherings. Ensuring physical distancing of at least two meters, promoting hand hygiene and mandatory use of face masks.

With vote-buying becoming the order of the day as witnessed in the Ekiti and Osun elections in 2019. How will vote buyers thrive during this pandemic? Many believe that, some would get desperate to have a share of the spoil, thereby not minding putting their health in jeopardy.

I watched a recent CNN report on the distribution of palliatives which the federal government struggled to achieve success in. This was during the first two weeks of the lockdown. A man said he prefers the dreaded virus to kill him than to die of hunger.

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Voting remains a civic duty. France and South Korea have managed to hold elections during the pandemic. So how prepared is INEC for the 2020 elections in Edo and Ondo? Can they ensure that the elections are safe, free and fair?

The onus is on the electoral body to ensure that this years’ elections are not just safe. But, that they are also free and fair.

While conducting a free and fair election may appear a tall order for INEC. What appears not to be a tall order would be the provision of soap and water for voters to use to wash their hands before collecting their ballot papers, and when joining the election queue, while social distancing is maintained.

From previous experience, tempers may start flaring later and things might go out of hand, putting the process and the safety measures in jeopardy.

As seen in big supermarkets and other establishments that adhered to the safety guidelines, INEC will definitely require an additional support and require more resources in order to ensure these elections are not just safe but that they are also free and fair.

It is worth noting that, if the measures devised by NCDC are not adhered to. The consequences may become far greater to deal with. Let’s hope that INEC, NCDC and the Federal Government can strategically prepare and plan adequately to avoid any disaster.

How to ensure social distancing during political campaigns in Edo and Ondo?

Having talked about the election proper, there is going to be the election campaign and the primary elections. With parties adopting indirect primary, the safety measures also come into place.

The key question again is; how many government officials would be deployed on the ground to help ensure that these guidelines are strictly adhered to?

The Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control strongly encourage the use of television, radio, mobile vans, social media and other forms of communication for politicians to campaign and solicit votes. But how will the candidate be able to reach the grassroots of some communities that have never witness power supply.

NCDC Guideline

“We advise careful adherence to mass gathering guidelines. Unfortunately, the virus doesn’t recognise whether we are conducting elections, religious gatherings or business settings – it just thrives when people come together.”

NCDC Advise To Politicians

“We urge our political leaders to take responsibility and lead by example. Leadership will be critical in this era and we advise them to think of the lives of the electorate first. The electorate staying alive is much more important than any vote you can win,” the NCDC boss said.

It appears as things stand that there are more questions begging for answers.

The responsibility of conducting a safe, free and fair election in 2020 lies with INEC. Let’s hope that this election experiment runs smoothly and end with minimal hiccups. That does not lead to more infection and death rates already recorded.

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