Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Electronic Card Readers (ECR) and the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria
Journal Title: Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences - Year 2016, Vol 4, Issue 7
Abstract
Abstract: Nigeria’s electoral process over the years have been bedevilled with negative trends ranging from the carrying away of ballot boxes and stuffing them with ballot papers of preferred candidates, over-voting, intimidation of electoral officials and even voters, maiming of political party supporters and more often than not, the arm-twisting of electoral umpires by government officials to announce electoral results in favour of their candidates. In a bid to strengthen the electoral process, INEC introduced the use of electronic card readers for accreditation in the 2015 general elections. This study therefore interrogates the essence of the use of the electronic card readers for accreditation in the 2015 general elections; why INEC later approve of both the electronic and manual accreditation in some states during the election; why the electoral umpire did not seek amendment of the electoral law to accommodate the new electoral process. The study observes that the deployment of the electronic card readers (later legally unrecognized in post-election adjudications) which in most cases were dysfunctional in many states was a design of the electoral umpire to subvert the will and wishes of the Nigerian electorate. Besides, the imported card reader escapade was a monumental waste of Nigeria’s tax-payer’s money. The paper as a way out of consistent electoral malpractices in the Nigerian’s electoral process recommends amongst others the introduction of electronic voting system, an overhaul of the legal department of the electoral body; subjection of reports of pro-Western oriented International Election Observers to the crucible of national interest critical analysis and a probe of the judicial arm with the aim of remedying the administration of justice in Nigeria. Keywords: INEC, Electronic Card Readers, PVC, General Elections.
Authors and Affiliations
Eze RC, Agena James E
Keywords
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