Abstract
This study investigated online voting system as case study of Federal College of Education Pankshin SUG. The study adopted descriptive survey research design for investigation and a sample size of 20 respondents was considered for the study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency tables and simple percentages were used to present the demography of respondents, mean score was used to answer the research questions from 20 returned questionnaire. The study further adopted the use of mean score to answer research questions that were raised based on the objectives. The results revealed thatthe essential requirements and the potential challenges of implementing an online voting system. The system necessitates a secure and reliable internet connection, robust voter authentication, user-friendliness and accessibility for all students, data privacy, protection against cyber-attacks, and comprehensive technical support and training, it also offers significant benefits such as reducing the time needed to count votes and announce results and enhancing voter participation through increased convenience. The study recommends that there is need for school management to invest in advanced cybersecurity protocols and continuous monitoring to protect against cyber-attacks and data breaches using encryption, multi-factor authentication and regular security audits to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the voting process. Also, there is need for management to develop a robust training program for both voters and election officials to familiarize them with the online voting system to ensure that technical support is readily available to assist users during the voting process, addressing any issues promptly to maintain trust and efficiency.
Keywords
Selected References
Ace. (2012). The role of electronic media in world information dissemination. Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 4(3), 45–58. Adeoye, A., & Alhaji, M. (2014). Electoral conflicts and democracy in Nigeria. African Journal of Political Science, 9(1), 112–125. Adelekan, A. (2010). Democracy and citizen participation in Nigeria. Lagos: University
Press. Agba, P. (2017). The media and electioneering campaigns in Nigeria. Enugu: New Age
Publishers. Akamare, I. (2003, as cited in Falade, 2014). Political participation and democratic
governance. Ibadan: Spectrum Books. Akinboye, O., & Alese, B. (2017). Cybersecurity and electronic voting systems in Nigeria. International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, 15(8), 201–210. Akintoye, I., & Adegoke, O. (2020). Dimensions of political participation in contemporary
democracies. Journal of Social and Political Studies, 8(2), 56–67. Akpan, E. (2015). Political communication and media roles in elections. Uyo: Mindmark
Publishers. Alvarez, R. M., & Thad, H. (2018). Electronic elections: The perils and promises of digital
democracy. Princeton University Press. Animashaun, A. (2023). Pre-election polls and political outcomes in Nigeria’s 2023 general
elections. Journal of African Democracy, 14(1), 89–104. Balogun, F. (2018). Freedom of the press and democratic participation in Nigeria. Media and Society Journal, 10(3), 201–219. Becker, S., & Lower, E. (2016). Functions of mass media in political campaigns. Communication Research Review, 22(4), 1–15. Bello, M., & Sowunmi, F. (2016). Technology and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process. Journal of African Studies and Governance, 11(2), 88–100. Bismarck, J. (2016). E-voting and inclusion: Addressing accessibility challenges in elections. International Journal of Digital Governance, 7(3), 141–156. Ciroma, H. (2015). Media commentary and political analysis. Lagos: Spectrum Press. Cohen, J. (2020). Media analysis and campaign communication. London: Routledge. Dada, T., & Omotehinwa, B. (2021). Voter participation and democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Journal of Political Studies, 5(1), 77–89. Durotoye, A. (2016). Electoral reforms and democracy in Nigeria. Ibadan: Bookman
Publishers. Eze, P., & Ogbonna, C. (2019). E-voting systems and election transparency in Nigeria. International Journal of Information Technology, 12(2), 67–79. Falade, D. (2014). Political participation in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(10), 504–510. Falola, T., & Adetiloye, K. (2020). Political contenders and electoral dynamics in Nigeria’s
Fourth Republic. Journal of African Political Analysis, 13(2), 45–63. Ibitoye, T., & Oyewale, J. (2014). Media framing and political opinion during Nigerian
elections. Communication Studies Review, 9(1), 33–47. Idris, M. (2018). Mass media, democracy and electoral transparency in Nigeria. Abuja:
Media and Democracy Centre. Ijeoma, C., & Nwokoye, G. (2019). Online voting systems and voter participation in Nigeria. Journal of E-Governance and Policy, 8(4), 55–70. Ikelebe, A. (2013). Elections and democratic crises in Nigeria. Journal of Politics and Administration, 6(1), 12–28. Isiaka, K., & Oseni, A. (2014). Mass media and political communication in Nigeria.
Ilorin: Crown Publishers. Kalu, U. (2015). Media and the political process in Nigeria. Calabar: Clear View Press. Krupnikov, Y. (2012). How citizens evaluate political information: Media bias and decision
making. American Journal of Political Communication, 6(3), 385–401. Laura, S. (2017). Media, government, and public opinion: The triangular influence. Journal of Political Communication, 24(2), 115–132. Louis, J. (2011). Campaign reporting and voter education. New York: Cambridge
University Press. Nekola, M. (2014). Patterns of political participation: A cross-national perspective. International Political Science Review, 35(1), 25–44. Nwaozuzu, I. (2017). Media ethics and political communication. Owerri: Harmony Books. Obomolauye, F. (2016). Research methods and design in education. Lagos: Rex Charles
Publishers. Ogieva, O., & Ajisebiyawo, A. (2023). The Electoral Act 2022 and the adoption of BVAS in
Nigeria’s elections. Journal of Law and Electoral Studies, 9(1), 102–118. Ogungbile, A. (2015). Political communication and the media in Nigeria’s democracy.
Ibadan: Heinemann Publishers. Ogu, E. (2018). Political journalism and electoral reporting. Lagos: Global Media
Press. Okpoko, J. (2013). Political education and media responsibility in elections. Nsukka:
University of Nigeria Press. Smith, A., & Marim, J. (2020). Privacy, data protection, and online voting security. Journal of Cybersecurity Research, 15(2), 199–210. Taye, B., & Adedeji, K. (2022). Manual voting and electoral manipulation in post-colonial
Nigeria. African Governance Review, 18(3), 79–95. Zahid, M. (2012). The media and politics: Influence and responsibility. Islamabad Journal of Political Studies, 6(1), 33–47.References