The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will work towards the full introduction of electronic voting in major elections starting from 2021.
INEC stated this in a 17-page document ‘Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic’ released yesterday in Abuja and signed by its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
The Commission stated that it would suspend the continuous voter registration (CVR) due to the Covid-19 pandemic while by 2021, it would pilot the use of electronic voting in the country.
The policy states that INEC shall “Suspend the Continuous Voter Registration CVR for the time being to prevent the health risks associated with it in the context of COVID-19. Continue to make available its electronic channels for voters to check their registration status.
“Pilot the use of Electronic Voting Machines at the earliest possible time (not Edo and Ondo), but work towards the full introduction of electronic voting in major elections starting from 2021.”
It added: “The Commission will engage with the legislature and other stakeholders to explore ways of responding to the rising cost of conducting frequent bye-elections, especially in consideration of the Supreme Court position that votes belong primarily to political parties, as well as the Commission’s records; which show that only in 10 per cent of all bye-elections since 2015 did the party that won originally lose the election.
“The Commission will engage relevant authorities, including the legislature, to designate election as an essential service to enable the Commission function effectively in times of national emergency.”
