E-transmission of election results and need for sensitisation

Since the inception of democracy, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been working tirelessly to improve the process by which election is conducted in Nigeria using technology.

Despite the commission’s efforts, it has conducted six general elections manually, out of which only two were said to be free of irregularities; and that was from 1999 to 2019.

Nonetheless, INEC has introduced reforms to have a stable democratic process by conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2023. The commission has introduced the electronic transmission of results in the forthcoming elections. The idea would bring changes to the nation’s electoral process when it is conducted accordingly.

INEC has made the right decision in its quest to have an outstanding election in 2023. There is, therefore, the need for the commission to embark on the sensitization of voters for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

Worries are, a large chunk of the voters residing in rural areas are not technically oriented, and can’t operate computers at the same time as such, rural dwellers hardly understand without orientation hence the need is to have a free and fair election.

Moreso, the majority of rural dwellers are not literate and lack knowledge of the technical know-how for an electronic result submission. This changed their normal election orientation to perceive rigging in the process and could easily lead to violence at the various polling units because they lack proper knowledge of the process.

Similarly, the issue of the party agents who will be deployed by the various political parties to monitor the process is another factor requiring the sensitization of voters. Previously, cases of electoral malpractice were recorded hugely in the various polling units because of lack of knowledge and cooperation from the agents of the various political parties which eventually led to the annulment of the election.

Therefore, it is good for the INEC to sensitise voters, and agents, among others, to have a free and fair election we have been yearning for for decades in Nigeria. This is to have a better democratic process in the nation and end the election rigging in Nigeria.

Doing so will provide a clear understanding of how the election is conducted in Nigeria and also make people confident in their leaders. This will boost the democratic practice of the nation and bring rapid development to the nation as people can vote for competent leaders without any shadow of a doubt.

Muhammed Yusuf,
Department of Mass Communication,
Borno State University