By Babajide Okeowob
The introduction of technology will enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria. To this effect, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is working with the National Assembly to introduce reforms to Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
Nick Dazang, Director, Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, made this known in an interview with Channels TV on Sunday evening.
“We have introduced technologies to enhance this credibility, going forward. There is a need to introduce further technology to enhance the credibility of the elections that we are going to conduct in 2023.
That explains why INEC intends to introduce new technology in the revalidation of the electoral register, which we have been putting in place since 2010-20.
The way forward is to introduce technology and ensure the register is credible and 2023 elections reflect this credibility and that elections are better” he said.
He stated that INEC would work with the National Assembly on constitutional amendments to improve the usage of technology in elections, citing recent elections where technology boosted credibility.
“Going forward, INEC wants to work with the National assembly to bring reforms, amendments to the constitution and electoral act, in such a fashion as to further deepen tech in the conduct of elections.
We have seen that in the conduct of Edo and Ondo elections, and even prior to that, the introduction of technology has enhanced the credibility of these elections” said he.
On cleaning up the INEC registry for electoral purposes, Mr. Dazang said INEC cleaned up its registry to remove people not meant to be on it, to ensure a credible election.
“The INEC register clean up entails removing persons that ought not to be in the register. Because the basis for any credible election is a credible register. If you don’t have a credible register, you cannot have a credible election. We have seen from 2011 to 2020, that we have tried in the commission to have credible registers” he added.
Recall that the Electoral Bill sponsored by Rep. Aishatu Dukku (APC-Gombe) recently was passed for second reading.
Recall also that last week, President Muhammadu Buhari swore in Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for another 5-years term at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
