NDC set to adopt digital balloting system for upcoming internal elections — Dickson

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has unveiled plans to adopt electronic voting for its future primary elections, aiming to fortify internal democracy and establish a modern, transparent, and institution-driven political party, according to the National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

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Dickson made this announcement on Monday night during the inaugural Aspirants Dinner, which brought together party stakeholders and screened aspirants in Abuja, where he emphasized the party's commitment to deepening participation and ensuring credible, transparent, and technologically driven primaries.

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The proposed reform includes a mobile voting application that will enable registered members to vote directly from their mobile phones during party primaries and congresses, with the platform currently undergoing testing and coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission, according to Dickson.

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Dickson stated that the party is working out minor details with the Independent National Electoral Commission, but expects that within the next three months, and certainly by the next round of elections, every registered voter will be able to use their phone to vote, as this is the direction Nigerian general elections should be heading.

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The NDC is determined to become a model political party founded on transparency, innovation, and democratic principles, rather than personal political interests, with Dickson warning against attempts to turn the party into a "special-purpose vehicle" for any individual politician's ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Dickson's remarks come amid growing political realignments involving major opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and he emphasized that the NDC is building a party that will stand the test of time, with a clear ideology of service, and not a one-man show.

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The senator representing Bayelsa West likened the NDC's long-term vision to enduring political institutions such as South Africa's African National Congress and major political parties in Europe and the Americas, and disclosed that the party has inaugurated a 21-member Selection Committee to streamline the candidate selection process.

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The Selection Committee will work with party organs and caucus leaders to ensure a fair and transparent process, following the screening of aspirants for governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly positions, with Dickson stressing the importance of building leadership structures from the ward to the national level.

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Dickson acknowledged that time constraints and the evolving nature of the reforms mean the party cannot guarantee a completely flawless process immediately, but insisted that the leadership remains committed to fairness and transparency, aiming to create a democratic movement where anyone can join and have a fair chance.

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Peter Obi, the party's presidential candidate, assured aspirants that their sacrifices and contributions to the party would not go unnoticed, even if they fail to secure tickets during the primaries, praising them for remaining committed to nation-building despite the country's current challenges.

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Obi urged members not to abandon the political process due to temporary setbacks, stressing that building a better Nigeria requires patience, sacrifice, and sustained commitment, and reflected on his recent visit to South Africa, where he met with political leaders and members of the Nigerian community.

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Obi noted that many Nigerians living overseas expressed frustration over worsening conditions at home, with some preferring to remain abroad despite facing hardship, and emphasized that Nigeria once played a major role in securing nations and leading peacekeeping operations globally, but now struggles to secure itself.

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NDC chieftain Buba Galadima appealed to aspirants to remain patient and committed to the party despite intense competition for tickets, noting that some constituencies have as many as 17 aspirants contesting for a single ticket, and urged unsuccessful contenders not to abandon the party.

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Galadima emphasized that when the party forms a government, everyone will have opportunities to contribute and participate, and several aspirants who attended the dinner commended the screening process, describing it as transparent, merit-driven, and credible.

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Some defectors from other political parties cited insecurity, corruption, and economic hardship as reasons for joining the NDC, while others pledged loyalty to the party regardless of the outcome of the primaries, with an aspirant for the Rivers East Senatorial District, Dr Benjamin Okuolo, describing the 2027 elections as a contest between the ruling establishment and Nigerians seeking change through the NDC platform.