Jega Warns Against Rushed Adoption of E-Voting in Nigeria

Former INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega cautioned against rushing electronic voting adoption in Nigeria, highlighting infrastructure and capacity deficiencies. He emphasized the need for local manufacturing capabilities and investments before transitioning to e-voting. Jega advocated for a gradual and practical approach to electoral reforms to maintain credibility in the democratic process.

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, recently urged caution regarding the adoption of electronic voting in Nigeria. Speaking at an event on Democracy Day in Lagos, Jega highlighted significant issues with infrastructure and capacity that might hinder effective implementation. He stressed that haste in modernizing electoral processes could lead to negative outcomes. “We have to understand the need to make haste slowly,” he stated, emphasizing a careful approach to integrating technology in elections.

The professor pointed to the case of Estonia, noted for its successful use of online voting, as a less-than-ideal model for Nigeria. He elaborated, “Estonia is a very small country with far better infrastructure. Nigeria is still struggling with internet access even in many urban centers—rural areas are worse.” His comments stress that mere aspiration for modernization must be matched by existing operational capabilities.

Jega also raised flags about Nigeria’s insufficient local capacity to produce election-related equipment, cautioning against heavy reliance on foreign suppliers. He articulated a significant concern when he stated, “We’re not equipment manufacturers. Without some level of independence, we risk becoming hostages to external suppliers.” This highlights the critical need for Nigeria to develop its own manufacturing capabilities in electoral technology.

He noted India’s experience, which still utilizes mechanical voting despite its technological prowess. Reflecting on expectations following the 2015 elections, he stated, “After the 2015 elections, many expected us to adopt e-voting by 2019. But the reality is different.” He posited that substantial investment is necessary before the country can effectively transition to electronic voting systems.

In conclusion, despite recognizing the urgency for electoral modernization in Nigeria, Jega called on government stakeholders to proceed with caution. He encouraged them to introduce reforms in a deliberate manner to ensure that the democratic process remains credible and valuable for the nation’s future.

In summary, Professor Attahiru Jega’s remarks emphasize the necessity of a careful approach to adopting electronic voting in Nigeria. He pointed out that infrastructure limitations and lack of local production capabilities pose significant challenges to e-voting implementation. Jega’s insights suggest that the country must invest adequately before making any jumps towards technological modernization in electoral processes. Overall, a measured, pragmatic reform approach is vital for enhancing the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy.

Original Source: www.tv360nigeria.com