By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Oliver Agundu, has given the assurance that the Commission in the nearest future will migrate to electronic voting.
He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is aware that Nigerians are clamoring for electronic voting, saying that INEC is ready to commence the process even in the next general elections.
“Some of the electoral infrastructure that INEC is putting in place shows that INEC is also looking forward towards that direction. This is so glaring considering some of the innovations we have introduced.
“For us as a commission we are ready, we are disposed and willing to incorporate any overwhelming suggestions by Nigerians”, the Plateau INEC boss said.
Agundu stated this on Tuesday in Jos during the Commission’s Consultative Engagement with Plateau State Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
According to him: “If it is decided today that as a country we should move to electronic voting we will do so without any hesitation. We are ready even for the next general elections.
“Some of the concerns raised is whether we have the infrastructure and all that it takes to implement the process. These concerns were raised because of the infrastructural deficit in the country.
“Other concerns centered on the illiteracy of the voting population, whether they will be able to use the technology.
“So once we are able to solve these challenges, we will come up with an informed position, which of course will be subjected to ratification by Nigerians before we can commence”, he said.
Agundu agreed that electronic voting will save cost but stated that the cost of ballot boxes which cost billions of naira will be compared with the electronic gadgets to weigh options before taking a decision.
He added that collaborating with the CSOs will further enhance the research on electronic voting as the group will help to fish out all the gray areas that need to be fine tuned.
“Engaging with the CSOs have become crucial as they are critical in deepening democracy.
“They have been around helping in pointing out areas of improvement and they have also been making suggestions.
“They have made considerable contributions in many of the innovations the Commission have introduced over time.
“We take them and their inputs very seriously.
“So we have found them worthy partners and that is why we feel that more than any other group, we need to engage them continuously so that we hear from them the feedbacks, particularly in respect to areas that need improvement and in respect to areas that need consolidation and other sectors that needs innovation, so that we will be able to enhance our electoral process”, Agundu said.
