Alfa Hycent

Victoria Ebosetale Oriwoh

Abstract

The study focused on the implementation of electoral reforms during the 2023 presidential election in Edo State, Nigeria. Electoral reform is central to strengthening democratic governance by promoting transparent, credible, and inclusive elections. Despite significant electoral reforms introduced before Nigeria's 2023 presidential election, concerns remained regarding their effective implementation, particularly at the sub-national level. This study examines the implementation of these reforms in Edo State to provide context-specific evidence on the challenges affecting electoral administration. The study sought to identify the key electoral reforms introduced before the 2023 presidential election, examine the major implementation challenges encountered during the electoral process in Edo State, and analyse the institutional, technological, logistical, and political factors responsible for these challenges. A qualitative research approach was adopted using documentary analysis of secondary data obtained from official reports, election observation mission reports, policy documents, and relevant scholarly literature. The study found that although the reforms strengthened Nigeria's electoral framework, their implementation was constrained by institutional capacity deficiencies, technological failures involving BVAS and IReV, logistical inefficiencies, electoral violence, and political interference, all of which undermined transparency, public confidence, and the effective administration of the election. The study recommends strengthening INEC's institutional and technological capacity, improving electoral logistics and contingency planning, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, enforcing electoral laws, and promoting continuous review of electoral reforms to improve the credibility and effectiveness of future elections in Nigeria.

   

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Published: 2026

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