Infrastructure, software, other critical for effective digitized electoral system — Jega

Uthman Salami

The former chairman, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has said that development in critical sectors such as infrastructure, software and associated support infrastructure are vital Nigeria to enjoy effective digitized electoral system.

Jega maintained that there are innumerable challenges facing the country which need to be solved tackled

He said, “There are so many challenges in our country. For one to be able to do effective, thorough electronic voting, you need the infrastructure, software and associated support infrastructure. For example, stability of electricity, extensive network coverage and robust internet facilities.”

Jega who was on channels Television programme, Politics Today,   commended the National Assembly for taking steps to review the Electoral Amendment Act (2010) as amended

He, however, faulted the exclusion of electronic transfer of results, saying that the that the decision of the current National Assembly to allow INEC use electronic voting, but not the electronic transmission of results was rather counterproductive.

In his words, “You can’t permit INEC on one hand to use electronic voting and not use electronic transmission of results because usually, they go as a package.”

He emphasised that “Once there is a robust software and hardware for doing so, it now brings efficiency, transparency and real time ability to see the result as they are transmitted from the polling unit to a National Collation Centre.”

Commentimg on the controversies trailing the appointment and subsequent screening of former Aide to the President, Lauretta Onochie, as INEC National Commissioner, the former INEC boss said the situation should have been avoided.

He charged the National Assembly to use all legal means regarding the issue to avoid a situation whereby elections the nominee conduct being viewed as being biased.