By Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. As 2023 General election that Comprises the Presidential, National Assembly ; Senate and House of representative Members ,Governors and States House of Assemblies During the previous elections in Nigeria right from 1999 election results were transmitted manually .
In the previous elections in Nigeria INEC have been accused of aiding election malpractices .
Politicians also use different strategies such as stealing ballot boxes , using thugs to harass electorates all in order to manipulate election results.
INEC to Transmit 2023 election result electronically
Recently Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu Said INEC will deploy technology in the country’s electoral process as
contained in the new electoral Act.
It could be recalled that President Buhari had on February this year assented to the Electoral Act 2022 after it’s passage by the National Assembly.
Section 52 subsection 2 of the Act says “Subject to 63 of this bill ,voting at election centres and transmission of results under this bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the commission (INEC), which may include electronic voting”.
INEC transmitted election results in Ekiti and Osun elections via Internet
The Independent National electoral Commission transmitted election results electronically during two Governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States with out hitch .
With the application of this innovation now election results is no longer a secret like before now all internet users can access the election results live through INEC Website and Social Media handles.
Dr. Abbati Bako is a Political Strategy and Communication Consultant.
He said now the World is advancing in terms of using digital means in the election process even in the emerging democracies like Ghana.
The Political Scientist Commended the Independent National electoral Commission INEC for piloting the system in the recent elections conducted in Ekiti and Osun States.
Dr. Abbati Bako said during the two elections result was transmitted with out much delay as experienced when results were transmitted via analog means.
He advised INEC to be very vigilant and employed enough ICT expert that can safeguard the system to avoid hacking as he said even in the advance countries hackers penetrate in to the server of institutions that performed significant duties such as elections.
Dr. Bako also urged Political Parties ,election observers and Voters to support INEC in it’s effort to use digital means of transmitting and collecting results in 2023 elections.
He added that election should be considered as a Collective responsibility by all stake holders not a one institution affair.
Ibrahim Garba Maryam is a Civil Society activist with years experience in election observation.
The activist says INEC decision to transmit election results through Internet right from the Polling units is a well come development which will even prevent multiple Voting among electorate that is common phenomena during elections in Nigeria.
Garba Maryam also called on INEC to embark on mass voter enlightenment ahead of 2023 election to avoid miss conception of the new system which is part of the new electoral act 2022.
He said with this new development 2023 election will be a face setter in revolutionising Nigeria’s election process.
Ibrahim Garba Maryam said with electronic system of transmission results rigging will be highly reduced in the election process.
Garba Maryam urged the civil Society organizations working in the areas of ensuring transparency in the elections process to support INEC in ensuring the desired result is achieved.
The activist says the time of connivance between INEC officials ,Security agents and Political parties agents to change election results has gone as all Nigerian citizens will have access to election results right from the polling unit up to the final announcement.
The two analysts Dr. Abbati Bako and Ibrahim Garba Maryam expressed optimism that if the system is well applied in 2023 elections Nigerians will have more confidence in Independent National electoral commission.
They said it will also add more value to Nigerian Democracy.
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