The topic of a debate organized by the Directorate for mass mobilization for senior secondary school is: The open ballot system is better than the secrete ballot system for Nigeria. Write your contribution for or against the motion.

THE OPEN BALLOT SYSTEM IS BETTER THAN THE SECRET BALLOT SYSTEM FOR NIGERIA

Good day the moderator, panel of judges, the time-keeper, my fellow debaters and the attentive audience. I am here this morning to vehemently oppose the motion which states that  the open ballot system is better than the secret ballot system. Before I adduce reasons for opposing the motion, it is only pertinent that I clarify the two major concepts first. The secret Ballot system requires that one votes secretly behind a closed room during elections for ones preferred candidate. The open ballot system on the other hand entails that voters vote openly by queuing or otherwise, indicate their preference for a candidate. The secret ballot system is better than  the open ballot system for Nigeria. Nigeria has tried the two systems. The evils or disadvantages of the open ballot system surpass those of the secret ballot system.

the secret ballot system enables every voter to vote confidently and secretly without the candidates being in a position to maltreat or intimidate him at the end of the election or during it. The secret ballot system insulates the voters from all forms of animosity from those who lose election.

Secondly, the secret ballot system makes it easy for re-counting in case there are legal disputes about the eventual winner – the ballot papers can be recounted. The open ballot voters cant be recounted the moment they disperse at the end of the voting exercise.

The secret ballot system thwarts the desire of politicians who always wish to use money to influence people voting for them on the election day. During open ballot voting, voters are lured away t o vote for the candidates offering bigger money. And those who collect such bribes always vote sheepishly for their pay-masters because failure to vote accordingly will spell almost immediate threats and injuries to their persons.

That critics say that the secret ballot system is expensive is not a serious setback. Any good or quality thing or process would be costly. The open ballot system disenfranchises some eminent members of the society who will not like queuing in public to cast votes when some of their friends are the contestants. The secret ballot system saves this category of people from embarrassment and making of enemies among their friends.

The open ballot system can’t be organized in a limited building space, but the secret one can. To conclude, the two systems have merits and demerits, but the secret ballot system is far better because of its advantages over the open ballot system.