By Longtong Ibrahim
Kaduna (Nigeria) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged to improve the use of technology in conducting elections by having a full proof database in card readers which would give way to the realization and usage of electronic voting system in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.
This according to the Executive Director of the League of Democratic Women, Mrs. Rebecca Sako John, would solve the problem of ballot snatching; multiple voting as well as enable electorates cast their votes conveniently from any location.
Mrs. Sako gave the advised recently in Kaduna during a town hall meeting organized by Leads-Nigeria in collaboration with Actionaid to discuss survey findings of the 2015 National and states’ elections.
While presenting the survey results, she explained that one major innovation which contributed to the success of the 2015 elections was the introduction and use of smart card reader which has increase the level of public confidence on the electoral process; adding that, for INEC to make it more effective, the card readers must have a comprehensive data base just like what the bank has to prevent irregularities such as multiple voting among others and make it a full-proof process.
She said, “The bank are able to have a full proof process using technology to prevent people from just withdrawing monies from anywhere; INEC should borrow that idea and get ICT professionals and services to give them full proof process, where people cannot use the same finger print to vote multiple times because technology can detect that – it is a major area we needs reform,” She said.
Mrs. Sako also decried the low turnout of voters in the last elections, saying the 2015 elections has the lowest turnout since 1999, attributing it to voter’s apathy. Other downside of the elections she pointed out includes the use of hate speech by politicians and their supporters; failure of card readers, inadequate voting materials, low women contest, cancellation of votes, late voting, delay in arrival of election materials and security breaches among others.
“Factors that led to an improved 2015 elections include, redefined electoral process by INEC in its continuous voter’s registration, issuance of permanent voters card; election observation, anti-violence campaigns, peace accord, use of social media to disseminate results”.
She however called on the electoral body and civil society organizations to look at areas of low outing and carry out more civic/voter’s education especially at the grassroots to encourage active participation of citizens in electoral processes.
The survey results also recommended a review and amendment of the electoral act which would allow more participation of women, youths and People with Disabilities (PWDs) in elections; while electoral bodies both at national and state level should make a special arrangements of polling/voting units for PWDs such as special ballot for the blind, separate queues, shades or quick attention to avoid them been discriminated upon.
The town hall meeting was aimed at disseminating survey results to stakeholders and the public, so that the lessons could be use to engage relevant stakeholders and improve on future elections.
Participants at the meeting includes; representative of INEC, Kaduna state independent electoral commission, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressive Congress (APC), members of different Non-governmental Organizations and stakeholders from six Local Government Area of Kaduna state (Sanga, Lere, Sabon gari, Kaduna North, Zogon Kataf and Kajuru).
