Sumerianz Journal of Social Science, 2019, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 20-26 ISSN(e): 2616-8693, ISSN(p): 2617-1716 Website: https://www.sumerianz.com © Sumerianz Publication CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 Original Article Open Access 20 20 Menace of Cyber Interference and Paradigm Shift in Election Security: Assessing the Fate of Democratic Election in Nigeria Badmus Bidemi G. Research Fellow and Academic Advisor, Political Science Department, Distance Learning Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Principal Administrative Officer and Assistant Electoral Officer, Independent National Electoral Commission, Oyo State Headquarters, Nigeria Abstract The contemporary election has witnessed tremendous changes in its security context, administration, delivery and management as a result of cyberspace and technology interference in democratic process. The noticeable trends in election security has remained the rapid movement more and more away from the regimented physical policing system which is characterised by technological ineptitude and corruption in Nigeria toward cyber security which is more efficient and effective. This study argues that cyber interference in election is imminent as more election management bodies (EMBs) continue to deploy the use of ICT and other cyber technologies for data/election material safety, efficient and cost effectiveness in management of democratic elections. However, the critical challenges remain how to curtail threats to election security created by deployment of new technologies to conduct and manage election. Given the incessant and looming danger of cyber-attack in terms of ransomeware, phishing and hacking that is gradually crippling the ability of modern states to conduct credible election. Nigerian government must create discerning approach to control excessiveness of cyber interference in its election while annexing its benefits to the fullest. Keywords: Election; Election security; Cyber-attack; Ransomware; Phishing; Hacking. 1. Introduction The overbearing influence of technologies on social, political and economic activities in modern societies particularly in the 21 st century cannot be overemphasized. Thus, modern democracy has witnessed inextricable interference of technologies in its process, management and delivery. Importantly, the deployment of cyber technology in the administration and conduct of election has given more credence and reinforced the undisputed role of election as driving force behind the notion of democracy. By and large, the new technologies such as Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), Smart Card Reader (SCR), Electronic Ballot Printers (EBPs), E-Collation, Optical Mark Recognition (OMR), Designated Election Software and Applications, Internet Voting System (IVS) among others that are becoming widely adopted by many election management bodies (EMBs) to promote free, fair and credible election have also come with some negative consequences for election security and democracy at large. Unfortunately, election security has been further compromised in many African countries due to undemocratic nature of power struggle and transition within their political system. For instance in Nigeria, political power remains highly prized and by implication, acquisition and wielding of such power is synonymous with unlimited opportunities in terms of access to economic, natural resources, political positions and everything humanly beneficial. Thus, losing out of political power or being out of government invariably implies little or no access to socio-economic and political benefits. As Lai Olurode (2013) succinctly argued, in a country where oil rents are highly centralized, being out of government and its related institutions might be akin to being condemned to a life of penury and despondency. Given the situation above, there are high tendencies that election security and democratic process could be highly compromised and made worse through manipulation of new technologies. Interestingly, as democracy is becoming more and more digitalised there are numerous technological challenges confronting the contemporary democratic election worldwide and no country is totally immune from cyber-attacks or cyber interference. Put differently, the negative consequences of cyber technology in the conduct of democratic election has become imminent worldwide. However, the root causes, profiles, intensities and counter measure approach to cyber-attack varies from one country to another. Notably, many developing countries, particularly Nigeria are more vulnerable to the menace of ransomeware, phishing, doxing and hacking among others menace of new technologies against their electoral processes due to inadequate capacity to tackle some of these evolving technological challenges. The foregoing situation has provoked debates and generates serious concerns among stakeholders about the future and security of election in Nigeria given the prevalent and indispensable role of technologies in election administration and democratic governance. More focus have been particularly placed on the best way to secure election and electioneering process against the possibilities of cyber attacks and undue technology interference. Succinctly, the paper is divided into six sections for purposeful explication of the subject matter; introduction, conceptual clarification, technology interference in democratic election, paradigm shift in election security, cyber- attack and the safety of democratic election in Nigeria, conclusion and recommendations.