INEC vows to deepen use of technology for credibility of electtions

…Says 542,576 Nigerians complete online pre-registration in 2 weeks

By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has assured Nigerians that the Commission will spare no effort in deepening the use of technology to ensure electoral transparency and credibility in the country.
This is even as Yakubu revealed that a total of 542,576 Nigerians have completed the online pre-registration under the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise, within two weeks after it took off.
The INEC Chairman said these yesterday in his address at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja.
The Chairman made it very clear that INEC will continue to spare no effort in deepening the use of technology to ensure electoral transparency and credibility.
He stressed that the voters register is at the heart of any credible election, adding, “This makes this meeting with our Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) crucial”.
Prof Yakubu explained that out of 542,576 online registrants so far, 356,777 (or 66%) are young people between the ages of 18 and 34 years.
This, he said, is followed by 134,719 middle aged registrants who fall between 35 and 49 years.
The third category, according to him, is elderly persons aged between 50 and 69 years of which 44,896 Nigerians have registered.
The INEC Chairman said, “It has been two weeks since the commencement of the online pre-registration of voters nationwide on Monday 28th June 2021. “Exactly two weeks since the exercise began, a total of 542,576 Nigerians have completed the online pre-registration.
“Out of this figure, 456,909 are fresh registrants while 85,667 have applied for voter transfer, replacement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), update of voter information record etc.
“The Commission is also able to provide Nigerians with information on the distribution of registrants across the States of the Federation and by age, occupation, gender and disability.
“Out of 542,576 online registrants so far, 356,777 (or 66%) are young people between the ages of 18 and 34 years.
“This is followed by 134,719 middle aged registrants who fall between 35 and 49 years.
“The third category is elderly persons aged between 50 and 69 years of which 44,896 Nigerians have registered. Interestingly, some 6,184 senior citizens (aged 70 years and above) have taken advantage of the new online opportunity to register.
‘On occupational distribution of registrants, 156,446 are students; 38,217 artisans; 24,421 farmers and fishermen; 150,145 businessmen and traders; 35,831 employed as civil and public servants and 8,334 housewives.
“The remaining 129,182 registrants did not specify their occupations.
“On gender, 321,781 are male while 220,795 are female. In our effort to serve all Nigerians better, the Commission has requested registrants to indicate their disability (if any).
“This will enable us to optimally and efficiently deploy assistive voting devices such as Braille ballot guide and magnifying glasses for persons with special needs at polling units on election day.
“So far, we have data for 6,558 registrants who have clearly indicated their type of disability.
“Detailed information, including State and occupational distribution, has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.