As 138 associations seek registration as parties.
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu at the weekend disclosed that there will be no electronic balloting in the 2019 general elections, stressing however that technology is already being used in many aspects of the processes.
The Commission, Prof Yakubu stated, will continue with the use of technology in elections as well as continue to deepen its deployment until such a time “when we can fully automate the entire process.”
The INEC Chairman similarly revealed that not less than 138 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties are currently pending before the Commission.
Prof Yakubu made these disclosures at the 67th World Congress of the International Press Institute, IPI, held in Abuja.
He stressed further that from the statistics of new voter registration nationwide, youths will play a far greater role in the election and processes thereof in 2019 than in previous elections.
Professor Yakubu explained that electronic voting should be the ultimate step in a chain involving five processes: electronic voter register, accreditation, balloting, collation and transmission of result.
He pointed out however that the Commission, at present, has a more robust voter register than at any time in the nation’s history.
The INEC Chairman declared that accreditation of voters (and storage of accreditation data) is also electronic, while the Commission is piloting the electronic collation and transmission of results.
He however expressed the firm confidence that full automation of INEC’s electoral processes is only a matter of a short period of time.
According to him, “Turning to the use of technology in elections, we shall continue to deepen its deployment until such a time when we can fully automate the entire process.”There will be no electronic balloting in 2019 but technology is already being used in many aspects of the processes.
“Electronic voting should be the ultimate step in a chain involving five processes: electronic voter register, accreditation, balloting, collation and transmission of result.
“At present, the Commission has a more robust voter register than at any time in our history. Accreditation of voters (and storage of accreditation data) is also electronic while we are piloting the electronic collation and transmission of results.
“What remains is to bring these processes into a voting machine to complete the chain. I am confident that full automation of our electoral processes is only a matter of a short period of time”, he said.
Continuing, Prof Yakubu said, “The 2019 general elections will involve the largest number of registered voters our history. We are currently inching closer to 80 million voters although the nationwide voter registration exercise is ongoing. The figure will certainly rise above 80 million registered voters.
“The largest number of political+ parties of will field candidates in the election. There are 68 political parties at present.
“However, with 138 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties, the number is set to rise higher. The political parties will contest in elections into 1,558 National, State as well as Local Constituencies in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).
“From the statistics of new voter registration nationwide, youths will play a far greater role in the election and processes thereof in 2019 than in previous elections.
“There is also increasing determination by marginalized groups such as women, youths and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for greater participation than ever before and we are working with these groups to facilitate their full participation in the electoral process”, he said.
He added “To enhance our transparency, we have been working very closely with stakeholders, including the media. At the moment, INEC has accredited correspondents from 85 media organizations to cover our activities all-year round.
“The number is growing and our doors remain open to all. We hold regular quarterly meetings with the media and other stakeholders.
“I have no doubt that the 2019 general elections will be the most widely covered event in Nigeria. The Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) has regularly conducted election debates involving candidates at national level.
“A number of media organizations have given similar opportunities to candidates at State level, including off-season Governorship elections, on their own initiatives. This is most commendable.
We have also been approached by a number of television stations in Nigeria requesting for partnership in setting up facilities for live coverage of our activities from the INEC Headquarters in the run-up to the 2019 general elections.
At least one international broadcast organization has also recently approached us with a similar proposal. We welcome this development and for this reason, we are refurbishing our media centre, including two editorial suites for the convenience of the media.
“I want to assure this World Congress that INEC is committed to credible elections. On this note, I wish to extend our early invitation to especially the international media that require longer time and logistics to prepare that you are welcome to cover our 2019 general elections,” he said.
