The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Thursday that with the proposed reform of the electoral Act, the 2019 election may be the last “mainly manual” election in Nigeria.
Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakub said this is achievable with the support of the National Assembly, tasking the lawmakers to expedite action on the amendment of the electoral Act.
He spoke in Lagos during the opening of a two day retreat with the National Assembly Committees on Electoral Matters.
The retreat was declared open by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo Agegewith members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters in attendance.
The Chairman said part of the proposed reform in the electoral systemwas to deepen the deployment of technology in elections in addition to the existing electronic voters register and accreditation.
He said, “It is time for a new legislation to remove all encumbrances to further deployment of technology in the electoral process, especially in the accreditation of voters and transmission of election results.
“Sections 49 and 67 of the draft Bill deal with these twin issues. These sections will be thoroughly discussed at this retreat. Working with the National Assembly, it is our hope that the 2019 general election will be the last mainly manual election in Nigeria.”
