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Digital Technology and the Performance of Electoral Ad-Hoc Staff in Nigeria: Insight from the 2023 General Elections

Frank Prince Diepreye, Ph.D

Abstract

Despite the use of digital electoral technologies, such as the Biometric Voter Accreditation System , the INEC Result Viewing portal , and online recruitment platforms, operational discrepancies between electoral ad-hoc staff continue to exist. This paper therefore, discusses the impacts of digital technology on the work of ad-hoc electoral staff at the pre-election, election- day, and post-election stages of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, and Bayelsa State in particular. The study used a mixed-method based on the use of structured questionnaires, completed by 388 INEC staff and former ad-hoc employees in eight Local Government Areas with semi-structured interviews of 15 key informants, and document analysis. It was found that digital recruitment portal and hybrid training models improved accessibility and record-keeping during pre-election stages, but the benefits were not evenly allocated because of the differences in digital literacy and access to devices. BVAS and digital communication enhanced accuracy and procedural adherence during the election in well-resourced regions but created huge delays in connectivity-deprived areas of the country through network failures, device issues, and low-quality technical support. IReV enabled post-election digital processes demonstrated increased traceability at the cost of long-standing administrative flaws and data-management issues. Digital technology proved to minimize the possibility of manipulation of the ballot by hand and augment accountability, but failed to eliminate the infrastructural, human-capacity and governance constraints that existed. The research findings are that technology is a support to human performance and not a substitute. It is recommended to rebuild digitalisation as long-run institutionalisation, match recruitment and training with varied local circumstances, use digital traceability to keep improving and not punishing, and involve frontline staff in designing and implementing technology.

Keywords

Digital technologyelectoral administrationad-hoc staff performanceBVAS and IReV Systems

References

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