Yes! you guys heard me right. A "None Of The Above" option for elections in Nigeria as a way of checkmating the fraudulent diversion of votes that characterized the April 2011 polls.
We all witnessed how voters registration was encouraged en mass during the last voters registration exercise (to the extent of machineries going from state to state just for registering more voter profile) and how the slots of undecided registered voters was diverted to the favor of certain parties. I want to propose a None-Of-The-Above Option in view of this sharp practice being perpetrated by most power-hungry crooks. Let voters have the option of casting their votes for no party in particular, i believe this will help exposes the true level of dissatisfaction of the masses towards the ruling class as well as reduce the level of ethnic bigotry we see in display. If the level of dissatisfaction is too high, let there be a re-run election involving new candidates. All these along with solid reforms in INEC i believe will go along was in helping Nigerians see through their subconscious emotions, mostly negative ones and make better choices politically.

I do not think it conforms with universal electoral practices. Citizens can decide not to exercise their voting right if they are dissatisfied with the arrangement on ground, undecided voters can also abstain from the polls. Me think one of the biggest problems for now affecting our electoral system is Voters Apathy so having a "None of the Above" option on ballot papers will not really be the solution for electoral malpractices or to express dissatisfaction since most people are uninterested but I can reckon with you that if the total vote cast isn't up to a certain percentage of registered voters due to voters apathy and dissatisfaction with the whole process, a re-run should be called for.
I'll prefer a clause for Independent candidacy inserted in the existing electoral act.

eh....

ekt_bear: eh....

go vote

take dat: I do not think it conforms with universal electoral practices. Citizens can decide not to exercise their voting right if they are dissatisfied with the arrangement on ground, undecided voters can also abstain from the polls.

And i don't think there is any hard and fast rule to how election exercise is should be conducted. Voters really do abstain from elections but in Nigeria it is seen as free votes to be flipped in favor of one party or the other for some fast bucks.

Me think one of the biggest problems for now affecting our electoral system is Voters Apathy so having a "None of the Above" option on ballot papers will not really be the solution for electoral malpractices or to express dissatisfaction since most people are uninterested but I can reckon with you that if the total vote cast isn't up to a certain percentage of registered voters due to voters apathy and dissatisfaction with the whole process, a re-run should be called for.
I'll prefer a clause for Independent candidacy inserted in the existing electoral act.

By the time the election is over the main damage has already been done. I am trying to see how it can be checked so parties in collaboration with crooks don't hijack what they perceive as free votes.

Registration is your right but diversion of your vote without your consent isn't right. "None of The Above" option or not?

2015 is drawing closer NairaLand, i await your responses. None of the Above or Not.