The Electoral Institute is the research, voter- education and training arm of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

I am, indeed, delighted at the presence here today of a cross section of stakeholders in the electoral system, as well as our development partners, all of whom have gathered to examine and discuss the 'Balloting Method for Future Elections in Nigeria.' Getting the balloting method right is, for sure, one crucial step in getting an electoral process right.

For almost five decades, Nigeria has striven to rise to the challenges of social, economic and political development. Over these years, through regimes and trying times for the nation, God has kept faith with Nigeria, calling forth the courage and wisdom of patriotic citizens to rescue our dear country each time it faces critical challenges of its existence as a nation.

The challenge of transiting from one elected government to another was certainly enormous. The nation never managed to meet that challenge through the years. We are proud to say that due to the diligence of Nigerians and the determination to succeed, even in the face of great odds, the 2007 polls did not push our nation over the brink.

The successful conduct of the elections has made it possible for this country to enjoy relative peace and stability while the processes of governance at all levels are continuing unimpeded.

However, long after the last general elections, it is apparent from the comments of a number of Nigerians about the electoral process that the method of balloting is not a settled matter.

There are calls for the adoption of Option A4, Open Ballot, Modified Open Ballot, Open-Secret Ballot or Secret Ballot, for elections. Many of these calls are contained in submissions made to the Electoral Reform Committee.

This workshop represents an attempt by the Electoral Institute to further contribute to the dialogue on this crucial aspect of our electoral process. It is our candid view that the discussion in this workshop will enrich the existing search for a robust and enduring method of balloting in Nigeria's electoral process.

An unbiased analysis of the various methods of balloting in such a forum as this will serve, hopefully, to clear the prevalent ignorance about certain aspects of the electoral process, especially Option A4 which is being recommended as a voting method, rather than a strategy adopted in 1993 for the election of presidential candidates within political parties.

It can be recalled that the defunct Armed Force Ruling Council (AFRC) had cancelled the Presidential primaries of the two political parties, dissolved their executive committees at all levels and disqualified 23 presidential aspirants. Subsequently, the then electoral body (National Electoral Commission) designed eight options through which presidential candidates could be selected. Option A4 was eventually chosen by the Babangida administration. So option A4 was not a method for conducting general elections. It was merely a system for selecting presidential candidates.

As for Open Ballot, we all know that it entails an open physical choice by a voter. That method entailed every voter queuing behind a candidate of his or her choice. Everyone in the polling unit knew who each voter voted for. The risks to the voters for such open display of choices led to the early death of the system by introducing ballot papers so that choices could be made in secret.

However, the long period voters were required to spend at polling units before voting led to the abandonment of

the system. Since then, the process has been further modified to retain the system of thumb printing on ballot papers in secret and voting in the open. This system - known as Open-Secret Ballot - is currently in practice in Nigeria today. It effectively conceals the choice of a voter while ensuring that the process of inserting ballots into the boxes, sorting and counting of ballots are all done transparently in the open. This process is succinctly provided for in Section 53 of the Electoral Act, 2006.

I believe that in modern balloting, the trend is to ensure the secrecy of the ballot and ease the burden on voters by reducing the time spent in the polling arena. As the American elections last week showed, sincerity of purpose and honest simplicity are the hallmarks of an effective electoral process.

At this point in history, with the development of technology and especially the demands of such dynamic and complex society as ours, the need to substantially reduce, if not totally eliminate, human influence in the balloting process makes the adoption of a mechanical or electronic method of balloting imperative.

The use of electronic voting machine is, therefore, one method in balloting that needs serious consideration in the Nigerian electoral process. It holds out tremendous prospects, one of which is the capacity to minimise human influence and, therefore, enhance confidence in polls.

With the existence and application of the electronic voters register as well as the capacity for electronic transfer of data and results, the adoption of electronic voting machine will usher in a full use of the electronic voting system. There is no doubt that the nation and its electoral system will record a positive leap in advancement, if this voting option comes into existence.

Whichever options and balloting method the nation adopts, it must as of necessity temper its cynicism and allow the system to evolve. Systems do not grow over night.

It is my hope and expectation that this important workshop would further help our search for a balloting method that would incorporate the peculiarities of our socio-political system and yet be flexible enough to adapt to the dynamic features of global politics.