Nigerian Government, INEC Petitioned to Configure Voter Cards with Phone Numbers, Embrace Electronic Voting
The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria (GCSDN) has made a compelling proposition to integrate modern technology into the voting system.
Addressing key government officials and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through an open letter, the group emphasized the necessity of adopting electronic voting to enhance security and transparency.
The letter, titled “Vote From Home: The Need to Configure Nigeria’s Voter’s Cards with Telephone SIM Cards and the National Identification Number,” outlines a visionary approach to electoral reform. The GCSDN proposes that voter’s cards be linked with the National Identification Number and telephone SIM cards. This integration aims to enable Nigerians to vote using their mobile phones from any location, potentially transforming the electoral landscape by reducing violence, lowering election management costs, and improving voter participation.
The initiative emerges against the backdrop of disturbing electoral violence and low voter turnout. With over 205.4 million cellular connections in Nigeria—a figure that significantly surpasses the number of registered voters—this proposal could address the concerning voter apathy that saw only about 28.63 percent of eligible voters casting their votes in the presidential elections.
The GCSDN’s proposal is timely, considering the government’s ongoing efforts to link National Identification Numbers with bank verification numbers and telephone numbers. This existing framework could be leveraged to ensure a seamless transition to electronic voting, fostering efficiency and effectiveness in the electoral process.
Moreover, the proposal includes provisions for inclusivity, suggesting that INEC could provide special mobile phones at designated polling stations in rural areas. For Nigerians abroad, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines (BVAS) acquired could be dispatched to Nigerian missions worldwide, paving the way for diaspora voting.