The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday unveiled plans to secure constitutional amendment for electronic voting as from 2023.
Its chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, spearheads advocacy for the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act to be amended to make provision for electronic collation and transmission of election results.
Prof. Yakubu who spoke on preparations for future polls, said the manual collation, which is enshrined in the laws, is too cumbersome and expensive.
Speaking on the importance of technology, Yakubu said: “We have to also address our electoral process, which is manual. It is too expensive and cumbersome.The process of collating result is sometimes chaotic because the law says that you must write results manually and collate them manually right from the polling unit to the ward, from the ward to the local government, then, the state and from the state to the national level in the case of the presidential election.
“A lot has been achieved aboard with a simple application of technology. So, the encumbrances to the deployment of technology in the transmission of election results should be removed as part of this process.”
The electoral boss, who spoke at the inauguration of the House of Representatives Special Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of 1999 Constitution, urged speed, saying the lawmakers have exactly 855 days to amend the law before the commencement of the general elections.
Responding to the calls made by the INEC Chairman, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo reiterated the Federal Government commitment to constitution review, urging the stakeholders to cooperate with the committee.
The vice president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said: “Looking at its leadership, membership composition and the expertise at its disposal, it is my firm conviction that the Committee will discharge its mandate excellently by liaising with relevant government agencies, civil society organizations, multi-lateral and supranational agencies and bodies to achieve a wholesome amendment to the Nigerian constitution.”
