By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to introduce an electronic voting system for its internal elections, a move the party says will enhance transparency, credibility and participation in its congresses, conventions and primary elections.
The initiative was unveiled by the party’s National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, during the second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja.
Dickson said the NDC was determined to position itself as a modern political platform driven by innovation and technology, adding that the proposed system would allow party members to participate electronically in internal elections while enabling real-time display of results at local government, state and national levels.
“In the next few months, we shall unveil a platform for electronic voting for all offices, congresses and primaries within the NDC. We are a party of innovation and we intend to lead the way,” he said.
The former governor noted that although several countries had embraced technology-driven electoral systems, Nigeria had yet to fully adopt electronic voting, stressing that the NDC was prepared to pioneer the process within the country’s political party system.
He explained that the initiative formed part of broader efforts to strengthen internal democracy and build public confidence in the party’s processes.
Beyond the electronic voting proposal, Dickson said the party had made significant progress since its registration, citing the successful conduct of nationwide membership registration, congresses, conventions and direct primaries.
He described the emergence of the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, as a major milestone and evidence of the party’s ability to organize credible internal democratic processes despite initial skepticism from political observers.
According to him, the party had also produced governorship, National Assembly and state House of Assembly candidates across the federation, demonstrating its growing national reach and organizational capacity.
Dickson called on members to remain united following the conclusion of the party’s primaries, assuring aspirants with grievances that established mechanisms existed within the party to address complaints in accordance with its constitution and relevant electoral laws.
He stressed the importance of reconciliation and party cohesion ahead of future political contests.
Also speaking at the meeting, the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, said the party’s rapid growth from a newly registered political platform into a nationwide movement reflected the commitment and resilience of its members.
Zuwoghe noted that within a short period after obtaining its certificate of registration, the party had successfully conducted membership registration, congresses, a national convention and primary elections across the country.
He described the emergence of Mr. Peter Gregory Obi as the party’s presidential candidate as one of the major outcomes of the process.
The chairman commended party members and officials for their sacrifices during the party’s activities and urged them to remain focused on consolidating the gains already achieved.
He expressed confidence that the NDC would continue to expand its presence across the country and strengthen its position as an alternative political platform ahead of future elections.
The NEC meeting brought together members of the National Working Committee, state chairmen, NEC members and other stakeholders from across the federation.
