The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is thinking of kick-starting electronic voting with the November 2021 governorship election in Anambra State, according the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Yakubu disclosed this on Wednesday while answering questions from journalists after defending the Commission’s budget before the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters.
He said however, that the adoption of electronic voting will depend on the amendment of the Electoral Act.
He disclosed that about 40 companies had submitted proposals on the deployment of technology for voting.
He said: “They have demonstrated. The next stage is for the commission to decide. So, it’s too early to tell you the cost or when the process will be concluded.
READ ALSO:
“But, we have determined we were going to deploy electronic voting machines, or electronic ballot machines in elections, possibly in Anambra governorship elections next year.”
The INEC boss also proposed N1 billion for the Anambra poll and the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
He said that the CVR will commence in the first quarter of next year, adding that the exercise will last for 18 months, which is six months to the 2023 general elections.
He also said the commission may make provisions for early and diaspora voting, subject to amendments of the Electoral Act and other relevant sections of the Constitution.
Yakubu posited that early voting will enable essential service provides, including the police, members of the armed forces, INEC’s adhoc staff, and journalists to exercise their franchise, either before or during the elections.
He said that diplomatic staff in foreign missions and members of the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) will also be able to vote when the relevant legal instruments are in place.
Meanwhile the INEC boss declined to speak on his second tenure, saying: “I have not been confirmed by the Senate yet. Wait till I’m confirmed. Then, I will tell you what to expect from the commission.”
