Rotimi Agboluaje,Ibadan
The Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Yakubu Mahmood has called on the National Assembly to quicken amendments of the Constitution and Electoral Act to recognize use of technology (Card Reader and Electronic Voting) and allow Diaspora Voting.
Mahmood stated that conducting Diaspora Voting during the period of recession would cost Nigeria million of dollars and logistic requirements.
He spoke through the National Commissioner of INEC, Professor Anthonia Simbinne, at an International Conference on Enfranchising the African Diaspora: Comparing Notes across Sub-Saharan Africa held at the Institute of African Studies, held at the University of Ibadan.
The chairman noted that while the 2015 elections cost approximately 100billion naira, contemplating a Diaspora voting in the next 18 months must start with registration of Nigerians in Diaspora, which will gulp millions of dollars.
While noting that the commission was ready for Diaspora voting, Simbinne pointed out that until issues of constitutional amendment is done to include Diaspora voter registration, and cost are scaled, the Diaspora will have to wait a little longer to actualize their dreams.
“It is important to state categorically that the commission is committed to implementing any and every activity that will improve the electoral process and accessibility of franchise to all Nigerians, albeit within the ambit of law.
“The introduction of technology (Card Reader and Electronic Voting) has led to instances where polls have had to be cancelled due to non-use of smart card reader. As the commission is building on the gains made previously from the introduction and use of the PVCs and SCR technology which have gone a long way to address multiple and fraudulent proxy voting, we are counting on CSOs to publicize the new amendments made to the electoral regime in 2015 and the legislature to hasten other new and proposed ones in a way that compels the use of technology towards deepening the electoral process”
In his address the Head Diaspora and Transnational Studies, Institute of African Studies, Dr Senayon Olaoluwa noted that the conference was organized to attend to the political needs of the Nigerians in Diaspora noting that the agency of the Diaspora on their homeland development can no longer be undermined.
The Vice Chancellor Professor Idowu Olayinka noted that University of Ibadan continues to offer leadership by being the first to have a program focusing on the Diaspora and Transnational studies, adding that the African Diaspora has taken the center stage in the transformation of Africa in the area of politics and economic as well as social fronts.
