Evidently, the introduction of the card
reader by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into Nigeria’s
electioneering process was noble, novel and bold. Not surprisingly, when INEC
declared that it shall be used during the March 28, 2015 Presidential Election
it was greeted with mixed reactions.
This electoral gadget (card reader),
according to the chairman of INEC (Prof. Jega), is designed to detect and deter
the use of cloned (fake) permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) and hinder other
electoral malpractices. Put differently, the card reader is designed to effect
physical recognition of owner of PVCs. Also, to further confirm this identity
by recognizing the thumb print of the owners. Coupled with these, the card
reader is expected to capture the numbers of accredited voters for each polling
unit.
Expectedly, Prof Jega’s insistence on the
use of this device attracted reactions and counter reactions from political
parties. On the one hand, the All Progressive Congress (APC) supported its
usability; while on the other hand, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected
its usability. However, Prof Jega assuaged the fears of Nigerians after
experimenting or demonstrating the use of the card reader at the floor of the
National Assembly which was also followed up with various tests of the card
readers in some states of the federation.
Furthermore, INEC assured Nigerians of
ensuring proper functioning of the card readers. Coupled with this, the
commission made provision for ‘incidence forms’ to be used where the card
reader could not confirm the thumb print of owner of a PVC.
On the day of the presidential election
(March 28), the President-elect (General Mohammed Buhari) and his wife were
accredited with the use of the card reader less than 60 seconds each at Daura,
Kastina state, however, the incumbent president (Dr Goodluck Jonathan)and the
first lady experienced hell to get accredited with the card reader at Otuoke,
Bayelsa state. INEC chairman immediately apologised for this, calling it a
‘national embarrassment’. There were other reports of the failure of the
card readers in other polling units, nonetheless, the percentage of failure of
the card reader had been said to be infinitesimal. Hence, it was a huge success
for INEC and a good step in the right direction for Nigeria’s nascent
democracy.
For April 11 election scheduled to elect
state governors and members of states assemblies; INEC has reiterated her
readiness and insistence on the use of the card readers. INEC also
promises to take right steps to fix card reader hitches that characterized the
March 28 election. According to Mr. Kayode Idowu – INEC spokesperson, the
commission promises to make available more technical support staff to handle
hitches that may arise. He further states that where the card reader fails, the
election will be postponed in such polling units.
For me, the employment of card readers by
INEC is a noble idea. It should be encouraged and sustained. It will surely
help to curb electoral malpractices. It will also help to add credibility and
transparency to the electoral process. Likewise, it is a step that can help to
facilitate Nigeria’s path towards electronic voting.
INEC must work on the feedback gotten
during the March 28 election. Proper servicing and effective configuration of
the card readers should be carried out. INEC and Ad-hoc staff must be trained
and retrain on the effective use of the card reader. Nigerian voters must also
be extra patient and cooperative in the administering of the card reader on the
Election Day. As a matter of a civil obligation, voters must insist on the use
of the card reader in all polling units as part of the process of ensuring
credibility and fairness in the electoral process. Voting is not just a civil
duty, it is a right. Likewise, the use of the card reader should be considered
as a civil obligation and right, since, Nigeria’s electoral law permits its usage.
Electoral justice can be achieved with the
use of the card reader. With fairness and credibility entrenched in Nigeria’s
electoral process, good leaders shall emerge thereby leading to good governance
and sustainable development in the country.
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