A vote for use of card readers

The use of the card reader machines for the general election appears to be the second most controversial issue after the permanent voter card (PVC) that has divided the polity along party lines. But as vociferous as the campaigners of the non-use of the machine appear, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained its insistence on its use, listing many advantages of the innovation.

At various fora, Attahiru Jega, INEC chairman, has repeatedly assured Nigerians that there is no going back on the use of the card reader.

The commission has explained that the essence of the card reader is to frustrate those who would want to stop at nothing to achieve electoral victory by dubious means. Jega has also said that some unscrupulous politicians who believe that contesting in an election is a do-or-die affair were behind those crusading for the non-use of the machine.

Latching on pockets of hitches recorded in some of the places where the recent field test of the card reader machines was held, certain elements increased the decibel scale of their agitation against the use of the card readers during the elections.

While addressing resident electoral commissioners and other principal officers of INEC recently during the review of the field test of the card readers, Jega had insisted that despite the hullabaloo against the innovation, there was no going back.   

Also, while speaking at a town hall meeting in Abuja, the electoral umpire reiterated the commission’s readiness to deploy electronic card readers for the elections, dismissing opposition to the arrangement as “diversionary” and a ploy to “move us backward”.

The INEC chairman, who described the field-testing of the devices as successful, admitted the relative newness of the technology, but said INEC had done quality assurance test which, he said, “certified the card readers will work”. He said deployment of card readers for the elections would add value and credibility to Nigeria’s electoral process, as it guarantees prevention of electoral fraud.

“If we don’t use card readers, we will lose respect and credibility. We will be going back to old ways when alteration of results was possible,” Jega said.

Similarly, while allaying the fears of the electorate over the use of the card readers, Lai Olurode, ‎INEC’s national commissioner in charge of Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti States, said the machines were introduced to check counterfeiting and impersonation at polls.

We wholly align ourselves with INEC in the use of the card reader machine. Our reason is simple. Elections in Nigeria have always been fraught with rigging. It is, therefore, forward-looking to seek ways of making the electoral process credible.

Over the years, Nigeria has become a laughing stock in the comity of nations, even in the Africa sub-region where it claims to be leader. If a small nation like Ghana can get it right at the polls, there is no justification for the mess that has been going on in Nigeria in the area of organising and delivering credible elections.

Some people argue that using the card reader machines for the election might frustrate the electorate and occasion chaos and crisis across the federation. It is our view, however, that those resisting the innovation that the INEC believes could assist in checking electoral fraud do not really mean well for Nigeria. The country is moving forward; there must be a paradigm shift which must begin with the electoral process.

Those who say the field test of the card reader machines failed to record 100 percent forget only the Supreme Being is capable of doing all things without error. As humans, perfection is achieved by trial and error.

We also agree with an INEC principal officer, who, in response to critics’ fears that the card reader may disappoint the commission on election day, said, “The introduction of technology into our electoral process is inevitable. Twelve years ago, there was nothing like GSM in this country and as at that time none of us here knew how to operate a GSM phone, but today, are we not all effectively using GSM phones? We at INEC have resolved to consider and project anything that will improve the integrity and credibility of our electoral process.”

But while we feel satisfied with the efforts of INEC and congratulate Jega and his team for the innovation, we must state clearly that we have arrived at our destination. There is still much room for improvement.