INEC TO INTRODUCE E-VOTING IN 2021

By Lawal Shereef


Decries high cost of elections

To address the issue of frequent bye-elections


Due to the COVID-19-provoked changes in activities in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Monday it would deploy more technological tools in discharging its mandate from 2021.

In a 17-page document titled: “Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 pandemic, signed by its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and released in Abuja, INEC said it would introduce electronic voting in the country next year.

It also decried the rising cost of elections in the country and promised to liaise with the National Assembly to see how political parties could nominate replacements for dead representatives in line with a Supreme Court judgment that votes belong to the parties and not individuals.

The commission added that voters without face masks would be disallowed from voting in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections taking place later in the year.

On the cost of bye-elections, INEC said its records revealed that in 10 percent of all bye-elections conducted since 2015, the party which originally won the election went ahead to lose.


The Commission said it would engage the National Assembly and other stakeholders to explore ways of defraying the costs associated with bye-elections.

It added: “As already announced by the Commission, the dates for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States remain 19th September 2020 and 10th October 2020 respectively. Dates for the four postponed bye-elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Plateau States, as well as other bye-elections that become due during the COVID-19 pandemic will be announced by the Commission following its established procedures.

“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 percent 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.”

SOURCE:NEWS NOW

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 Ways to identify an OAU International relations student

 By Lawal Shereef The noble department of International relations in OAU has long been a hotbed for future diplomats in Nigeria as it is one of the few departments which offers pure International relations in the country. The department which produces Graduates trained to take on 'internationally' designated posts/jobs can boast of producing countless numbers of now-successful  men/women in their respective fields. Meanwhile,successive sets of students have evolved an image for the department,setting trends which are now consistent with that of the discipline itself.  We will be discussing these tendencies which can be easily attested to by both past and current students of the department; They ' hate ' mathematics   This might be the most glaring trait of an OAU International relations student. IR students are OAU-wide renowned for their dislike for Social sciences courses,SSC 105 & 106. This can be noticed in their deliberate absence in 'SSC' classes,their...
Read more

Stages all OAU International relations students can't deny

Image
Lawal Shereef  Being a student of International relations at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University is a flex on its own but it has some hidden behind the scenes feelings and headaches that comes with it but is usually ignored. Join us on this adventure to uncover them; When you searching for schools offering International relations before JAMB When you are finally admitted When you resume and everyone is hyping your course You in part 1 You after taking courses in the humanities/Faculty of Arts You wondering how OAU exams will be for the first time READ MORE!!;  10 ways to identify an OAU International relations student Your friends at home when you start bragging about OAU and you being a Diplomat in the making in the only public Uni that offers pure IR in Nigeria You when your friend hails you but you just calculated your GP After facing the Almighty Social Scienc...
Read more

BOOK REVIEW "The psychology of money"

Image
"The psychology of money"by Morgan Housel        The book is a captivating exploration of the complex relationship between our minds and money. Housel brings to limelight the psychological biases and behaviors that influence our financial decisions, offering insights that are both practical and profound. He discusses how our emotions, instincts, and past experiences shape our attitudes towards money, often leading to irrational choices and unexpected outcomes.      One key theme in the book is the importance of understanding the difference between being rich and being wealthy. Housel argues that true wealth is not just about having a large bank account, but rather about achieving financial security and freedom. He emphasizes the value of investing in experiences, relationships, and personal growth, rather than just accumulating material possessions.       Another highlight is Housel's exploration of the concept of risk and uncertainty in...
Read more