Dickson Says NDC Will Adopt Electronic Voting for Party Primaries

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is set to introduce electronic voting for future primary elections in a move aimed at strengthening transparency and internal democracy within the party.

Speaking at the inaugural Aspirants Dinner held in Abuja on Monday, the party’s National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, said the NDC had already developed a mobile voting application for party members.

According to Dickson, the application would eventually allow registered party members to vote directly from their mobile phones during congresses and primary elections.

He explained that the rollout was delayed to allow additional testing and engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“Electronic voting, we have designed it and even set to be deployed, but because of the time we have, INEC too says they want to be there, so we are working out those minor details,” Dickson stated.

“But after now, any other primary in NDC in the next three months down, and certainly by the next round of elections, every registered voter will use their phone to vote because that is the direction Nigerian general elections should be going.”

Dickson maintained that the NDC was focused on building a modern political institution driven by democratic values and not individual ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We are not building a special-purpose vehicle for any individual,” he declared.

“We are building together a political party that will stand the test of time. We want to build a party of principles, a party with a clear ideology of service, a party that is not a one-man show.”

He said the party hoped to evolve into an enduring political institution similar to South Africa’s African National Congress and other established parties across Europe and the Americas.

The senator representing Bayelsa West also announced the inauguration of a 21-member Selection Committee to oversee the candidate selection process following the screening of aspirants for governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly elections.

Dickson noted that the party was building leadership structures from the grassroots to the national level to encourage participation by women and youths.

“We want to be a democratic movement where a child of nobody can join the NDC and still be given a fair chance,” he said.

“All you need is your registration card in the NDC. The party will provide mentorship, political enlightenment, and leadership opportunities.”

At the event, the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, encouraged aspirants not to lose hope if they fail to emerge as candidates.

“I am here this evening to assure you that your sacrifice will not be in vain,” Obi said.

“All of us will not succeed, all of us will not be selected, all of us will not be winners, but it is time we begin to recognise people who have worked hard and sacrificed for this country.”

Obi said Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges require patience and sustained commitment from political actors seeking change.

He also recalled discussions with Nigerians during a recent visit to South Africa, noting that many expressed disappointment over conditions back home.

“Nigeria once played a major role in securing nations and leading peacekeeping operations globally, but today Nigeria cannot secure itself. That is unacceptable,” he said.

Meanwhile, party chieftain Buba Galadima urged aspirants to remain loyal to the NDC even if they fail to secure tickets during the primaries.

“When we form government, everybody will have enough to contribute and participate,” Galadima said.

Some aspirants and defectors at the event praised the party’s screening process, describing it as transparent and credible, while others cited insecurity, corruption, and economic hardship as reasons for joining the NDC.

Africans Angle News