E-transmission of election results: Need for sensitization

Since the inception of democracy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been working tirelessly to improve the process by which election is conducted in Nigeria using technology.

Despite the commission’s efforts, it has conducted six general elections manually, out of which only two were said to be free of irregularities; and that was from 1999 to 2019.

Nonetheless, INEC has introduced reforms to have a stable democratic process by conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2023. The commission has introduced the electronic transmission of results in the forthcoming elections. The idea is expected to bring changes to the nation’s electoral process.

There is, therefore, the need for the commission to embark on the sensitization of voters for the smooth conduct of the exercise.

Worries are that, a large chunk of the voters residing in rural areas are not technically oriented as such they may hardly understand without orientation.

Similarly, the issue of party agents, who will be deployed by the various political parties to monitor the process is another factor requiring the sensitization of voters. Previously, cases of electoral malpractice were recorded hugely in the various polling units because of lack of knowledge and cooperation from the agents of the various political parties which eventually led to the annulment of the election.

Therefore, it is good for INEC to sensitise voters and agents, among others, to have a free and fair election that we have been yearning for, for decades in Nigeria.

Doing so will provide a clear understanding of how the election is conducted and make the electorate have confidence in the leaders elected.

Kano but to no avail.

On October 30, 2022, the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, launched the historic 100 buses and 50 taxi cabs tagged “Kanawa bus and taxi services for commuters”. Indeed that was a laudable project even though only few buses were seen plying the designated routes.

However, for sustainability of this project, the government needs to seek more knowledge from the experience of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and other identified international models for its sustenance and development.

There is no doubt Lagos State Government has made tremendous progress in sustaining its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

Presently, Lagos BRT has 55,000 buses plying well over 28 routes according to reports, with state of the arts terminal facilities and close to 200,000 passengers patronise the bus services daily.

The government has also introduced a train service which is to be inaugurated in December.

Going by these, it is apparent that Kano State has a long way to go to boost, sustain and consolidate its mass transit system.

According to the UN report, the populations of most cities in developing countries will double by 2050 and movement pattern will be one of the major challenges envisaged. So, the earlier we take action the better for us.