In any thriving democracy all over the world,legislative processes should reflect transparency, accountability and public trust.
One crucial aspect of this is how votes on laws are conducted and recorded.
A recent comparison of voting practices in the UK and Nigeria highlights a stark contrast, underlining the need for Nigeria to adopt more transparent mechanisms.
For instance,the UK’s Model of Legislative Transparency is something of note.
In the UK Parliament, critical bills undergo recorded votes, a process that ensures full accountability.
For instance, the Terminally- Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes allowing terminally ill adults with less than six months to live the choice of assisted dying, passed to the next stage by a majority of 55 votes.
The voting record is publicly available, allowing citizens to see how their Members of Parliament (MPs) voted.
This approach fosters a system where lawmakers are directly accountable to their constituents, and public trust is bolstered through transparency.
Nigeria’s Predominantly Voice-Based Voting.Nigeria’s Senate recently passed the Tax Reform Bill 2024 to the next stage as well, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at modernizing the tax system.
However, the vote was conducted through a voice vote, where senators shouted “Aye” or “Nay,” and the presiding officer determined the outcome based on the loudest group.
While this method is expedient, it lacks the transparency that recorded votes offer. This absence of individual accountability in the voting process diminishes citizens’ ability to evaluate their representatives’ performance and undermines trust in the legislative process.
A good example of this is when there is a Point of Order and the Case for Recorded Votes
Nigeria’s Senate Standing Orders provide lawmakers with tools to address this issue. Legislators can invoke a Point of Order to request a recorded vote, particularly, on contentious or impactful bills.
This ensures that every vote is documented, offering the electorate a clear view of where their representatives stand on key issues. However, such requests often require the presiding officer’s approval or the backing of a significant number of senators.
As far as democracy is concerned, there are Benefits of Recorded Votes for Nigeria.These include:
Adopting recorded votes as a standard practice would bring multiple advantages,enhanced Accountability.Lawmakers would be answerable to their constituents for their decisions.It strengthens Public Trust and transparency in legislative decisions and fosters greater confidence in governance.
It also reflects positive alignment with Global Standards.
Many democracies, including the UK, prioritize recorded votes, setting an example Nigeria could follow.
It also increases Civic
Engagement. When citizens can track their representatives’ positions, they are more likely to engage in the political process.
In view of the benefits,there are Challenges and the Path Forward.
The primary challenge in implementing recorded votes lies in resistance from lawmakers who may prefer the ambiguity of voice votes. However, civil society, media, and citizens can advocate for reforms that make recorded voting a norm, especially on bills with significant socio-economic or ethical implications.
Nigeria’s democratic growth requires a commitment to transparency and accountability in legislative practices. Recorded votes are not just a procedural improvement but a fundamental step toward strengthening democracy. Lawmakers, civil society, and citizens alike should champion this cause, ensuring that Nigeria’s legislative processes reflect the highest standards of integrity and public trust.
By institutionalizing recorded votes, Nigeria can bridge the gap between its legislative practices and those of global democracies, fostering a political culture rooted in openness and accountability.
Cllr Ajisola is the Deputy Mayor Luton Borough Council UK,writes from United Kingdom.
