The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has assured of plans to initiate new innovations to improve the conduct of the 2023 General elections.
INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity Department VEP, Mr Nick Dazang, gave the indication at a 5 day workshop organised in collaboration with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy WFD on the Review of the National Voter Education Manual in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Stating that the gesture is targeted at upgrading and improving the conduct of future elections, Dazang said the commission would revisit the use of card readers and likely introduce other technologies that would work seamlessly with electronic voting in Nigeria.
He said the Commission have no regrets on the innovations it had so far introduced for the conduct of elections in Nigeria as they have helped in deepening the nation’s electoral process.
INEC is also reviewing its voter education to enable it to explain better the planned technologies to Nigerians, Dazang added.
This, according to him, include the issue of changes in technology and COVID-19, saying the commission need to change its communications process to respond to the changes.
On the amendment of the Electoral Act, the Director of Voter Education said the Commission was working with two committees of the National Assembly, adding that substantial gains were being made on the amendment.
He urged staff of the Commission to always upgrade themselves on new technologies and continue to obey the COVID-19 safety protocols.
The WFD Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, in his remarks assured of the Foundation continued determination and support for INEC to deepen voter education in Nigeria, especially at the grassroots.
