Promoting democracy
Subtitle: the open ballot machine option
By: by Edoho James Nsima.
Edition: 2nd ed.
Publisher: Consultancy Center for Political Research
Published: 1993
Place of publication: Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Language: eng
Number of pages: 215
Subjects: Democracy -- Nigeria.; Elections -- Nigeria.; Elections -- Nigeria -- Equipment and supplies.
First sentence: Elections can be likened to a game. All players pledge to be bound by some set rules. A referee upholds the rules as a neutral umpire. At the end of the game results are declared. Winners and losers celebrate with a handshake and lots of goodwill. The winner is rewarded with the custody of a trophy which is never for keeps, for their fortunes could change at the next scheduled encounter.

In most of Africa and other parts of the so-called developing countries, the rules governing elections are often violated by the players. The referee is not always neutral. The schedule for a re-match is sometimes in doubt, as the winner may consider keeping the trophy for life. As a result, goodwill often does not exist between winners and losers. They are perpetually in a state of tension, suspicion and bitterness.... 

This book describes the electoral setting in one African context -- Nigeria. It analyzes why the players in electoral contests do not keep to the rules and why umpires are handicapped in upholding the rules. The conclusions are that the root causes of the problem are structural and can only be resolved through joint involvement by all participants in a critical evaluation and action process.

PART ONE of the book locates the causes of election rigging (the generic name for breaching the rules) in poverty, non-literacy, and the abuse of universal franchise or the concept of one-man-one-vote. It proposes a solution through an educational program that unmasks irrational behavior. The program is supported by a critical social science approach which brings together both theory and practice to the grasp of all participants -- both literate and non-literate. Replacement of the irrational with the rational system that is supplied by the scientific approach shapes attitudes that support a culture of free and fair elections.

PART TWO of the book presents the instrument that catalyzes the scientific orientation, describes the open ballot machine (OBM), and shows how current rigging loopholes are plugged with the unique features of the OBM. A logistical strategy for effective deployment of the OBM within the physical and sociological constraints posed by the Nigerian environment is also presented. Given generally similar problems and conditions elsewhere in the developing countries, the conclusion is drawn that validation for the use of OBM can also be established outside Nigeria.

PART THREE describes political developments in Nigeria from the period preceding Independence in 1960, through the First and Second Republics, and up to the transitional period to the Third Republic.... Fairness, accountability and probity are induced and monitored by the need to cultivate a winning coalition of voters. Such a coalition is supported by a strategy of sharing the national cake equitably to all groups and areas. Unpopular mandates and unfair distribution schemes are imposed only through rigged elections. Both this imposition and resistance to it lead to mutual lack of confidence and a vicious cycle of tension and instability.

Finally, the OBM package is presented as an authentic system of open-secret voting that encourages all participants in the electoral process to keep to the rules , accept results in good faith, and work to ensure accountable government, political stability and enduring democracy.
Description: This book is meant to promote the idea of an open ballot machine (OBM) for use with the open ballot system (OBS). It also proposes the idea of an open ballot theory (OBT). The immediate aim is to encourage general readership. Ultimately, I hope it will serve a heuristic function in the attempt to lay a scientific foundation for the open ballot system.
Notes: "For free and fair elections"--Cover.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: label: Foreword
pagenum: vii; label: List of Figures and Tables
pagenum: xii; label: Preface
pagenum: xiii; label: Introduction
pagenum: xix; label: PART ONE
title: A Vote for the Open Ballot
pagenum: 1; label: PART TWO
title: Open Ballot Machine (OBM)
pagenum: 27; label: PART THREE
title: A Must for Enduring Democracy
pagenum: 67; label: Notes
pagenum: 115; label: POSTSCRIPT
title: June 12, 1993, Presidential Election
pagenum: 131; label: Appendices
pagenum: 163; label: Index
pagenum: 217