Following recent changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced plans engage with relevant authorities, including the National Assembly, in a bid to re-evaluate electoral activities in the country to reflect the impact of the virus, and also fast-track electronic voting with the hope of a 2021 start.
Details concerning the Commission’s plans were contained in a document signed by INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and titled “Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of Covid-19 Pandemic.” The plan, which will determine the methods the election umpire discharges its mandate moving forward, covers areas such as health and legal issues, election planning and operations, Election Day and post-election activities, voter registration, deployment of technology, among other points.
Electronic Voting Kicking Off in 2021
In the 17-paged document, the Commission also expressed readiness to test-run electronic voting machines very soon with a full introduction of the system set to set to take place during major elections starting in 2021. “The commission shall revamp its election planning and implementation-monitoring processes in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the commission in planning elections shall respond to the growing demand for deepening the use of technology in the electoral processes, including the introduction of electronic voting,” the document read.
While it was revealed that the test-run of the machines will not include the upcoming Edo and Ondo state governorship elections, the Commission also stated that it would discontinue the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), and use non-contact means to recruit the ad-hoc staff needed for the upcoming elections.
Elections As Essential Services in Nigeria
While elections were not part of the essential services announced by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) ahead of the lockdown in March, the Commission said it would work with the National Assembly alongside several other stakeholders, to designate election as an essential service in a bid to allow the commission function effectively in times of national emergency.
Health Remains a Priority
Regarding the forthcoming governorship polls in Edo and Ondo, including the outstanding by-elections, the strategy mandated the compulsory use of facemasks at polling units and locations, as a defaulting voter would be rejected.
To ensure the safety of voters and staff of the Commission, there shall be periodic disinfection of chairs, tables, and work areas, as well as adequate ventilation at the Polling Units. Likewise, the SCR shall be cleaned with the prescribed disinfectant after each voter’s fingerprint is read.
The elections in Edo and Ondo state are scheduled to hold on September 19 and October 10, 2020.
This story is part of our new series on Nigeria where we analyse electoral reform in the country ahead of the next general elections in 2023.
