By Fred Doc Nwaozor
The e-voting otherwise known as electronic
voting is a kind of voting that involves using electronic system to cast and
count votes usually with the aid of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
It is of two main types: the one
physically supervised by representatives of the electoral umpire and the remote
e-voting whereby votes are cast via the internet from any location. The former
requires the EVM whilst the latter could be done with one’s personal computer.
The merits of e-voting cannot be
overemphasized. It enables vote to be cast with ease. It increases the speed of
voting. It is cost effective; in other words, it tremendously reduces the cost
of conducting an election by engaging only a few electoral officials rather
than in the case of manual voting system that requires much manpower.
It can provide an improved accessibility for
the electorate that are physically challenged, thereby enabling them to
participate actively at the polls. It’s transparent because it can easily be
observed by anyone present at the polling unit. It helps to reduce human error
to a great extent. It makes the election results to be announced faster than
expected, thus building trust.
Among all, e-voting is auditable with the
assistance of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). The EVM prints a paper
receipt each time a vote is cast electronically. This makes it easy to perform
recounts and audits because one can compare the electronic count with the paper
count. Owing to the overall gains and effects of electronic voting, it
increases turnout and engagement among the electorate.
On Saturday, 12th May 2018, Kaduna
State under the watch of Governor Nasir El-rufai made history by conducting its
Local Government (LG) polls with the aid of e-voting system as planned by the
Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM).
It was, however, reported that some
of the EVMs malfunctioned in some polling units while some were made away by
hoodlums to unknown destinations. The machine error was blamed on various
factors such as power supply, technical hitches and ignorance on the part of
the operators.
Gov.
El-rufai testified that human error was recorded during the exercise, though
claimed that the EVMs performed perfectly as anticipated. In his statewide
address while being interviewed by newsmen after the polls, he said “Only human
error was recorded. All the electronic voting machines functioned perfectly. We
shall investigate the cause of the human error.”
The
outcome of the LG polls in their totality signifies that we still have a long
way to go as regards electronic voting. It was gathered that some of the EVMs
malfunctioned even as the governor claimed that they all performed excellently.
The diverse reactions trailing the functionality of the EVMs used at the polls
are good reasons to note that the system isn’t yet ripe for the practice.
We
have equally learnt that some of the EVMs were carted away by thugs in the
process. This particular loophole implies that adequate security wasn’t on
ground to safeguard the polling units and the sensitive materials, or perhaps
the security personnel compromised their obligations.
The above revelation raises another room for
great worry as regards the quest for deployment of the e-voting pattern in the
Nigeria’s electoral system, hence the need to critically look into it.
It was further alleged that the returning
officers in charge of the various LGAs vanished into thin air after concluding
the elections. It’s imperative to acknowledge that the so-called returning
officers have a thousand and one questions to answer if the required
investigations must be carried out by the concerned authority as well as
towards averting such embarrassment in the future.
As I appreciate Gov. El-rufai for giving
us the prototype of how the e-voting would look like if the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) eventually adopts it for the Nigeria’s
political sphere, it’s my pleasure to notify the commission that if well
prepared, the country can really get it right.
Since
we have observed lapses bordering on ignorance in the use of tech devices, thuggery
and insecurity, there’s absolutely no need to suggest to the INEC on what needs
to be done towards ensuring that the e-voting system is aptly implemented for
future elections.
Since time is apparently against the
INEC regarding the fast approaching 2019 polls, Nigeria as a country ought to
right now consider making use of the e-voting system during the 2023 general
elections.
The commission must hold the bull by the horn
with a view to ensuring that the needful is done without further
procrastination. As the world is already engulfed in technologies and every
facet of the global community gradually becoming digitally-inclined, the
electoral umpire needn’t shy away from taking into cognizance that it’s time
the Nigerian state inculcated e-voting into its electoral mechanism.
Hence, I want to believe that the recently
passed Electoral Act, as amended, by the National Assembly (NASS) recognizes
the e-voting pattern. A separate section needs to painstakingly highlight the
clauses that would guarantee the sustainability of the policy. If it doesn’t,
there’s still need for further amendment in earnest.
On its part, the INEC needs to consequently set
up a special unit to be manned by qualified and uncompromising tech experts
that would see to the apt implementation cum sustenance of the measure.
Above all, it’s noteworthy that the said unit
can’t perform as expected if it fails to continually extend hand of fellowship
to the cognoscenti. Think about it!
Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst & rights activist, is
National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
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frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador
