The Independent National Electoral Commission lNEC, has taken delivery of Innovation Technology Tools facilitated by the Development Alternatives Incorporated DAI to enhance electoral activities in the country.
Speaking at the presentation and handing over ceremony of the tools in Abuja, Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the tools were designed to respond to specific challenges encountered in the implementation of electoral activities, thereby bringing technology to enhance the Commission’s operational effectiveness.
Yakubu who stated that the tools also offer innovative solutions that could foster efficiency, speed, due diligence, and trust in the nation’s electoral process, however noted that in the course of developing the tools, DAI consultants worked closely with the technical team and directing staff of the Commission to achieve the feat.
Some of the newly developed tools are:
The Collation and Returning Officers Management System (CROMS) intended to streamline, simplify and enhance the security, reliability and credibility of the recruitment process for collation and returning officers;
The Election Results Management System (ERMS) which seeks to ensure a better results management process, enhancing accuracy and creating a repository of election results, something envisaged by Section 62 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022;
The Media Monitoring and Analysis Tool intended to enhance the Commission’s capacity to filter media coverage of the Commission; and The Political Parties Financial Reporting and Audit System (PFRAS), which seeks to assist the Commission to monitor political party finance more efficiently and effectively.
“We are glad that today, some of the tools developed in collaboration with DAI are being handed over to the Commission,” he said.
According to the Electoral Umpire, “The tools were not specifically designed for a particular electoral cycle hence their utility to future elections and electoral activities.
‘In fact, the support to INEC under EU-SDGN Phase II covers the period 2022-2027 traversing two electoral cycles (2023 and 2027) and includes support to the National Assembly and the Judiciary, Political Parties, the Media, Civil Society organisations and the promotion of inclusivity (women, youth and persons with disability), he said.”
Yakubu assured that the Commission will closely examine the tools with a view of adopting or tweaking them where necessary to meet the immediate and emergent challenges in the conduct of elections.
While appreciating the DAI and the EU-SDGN for the Project Phase II, the INEC boss reiterated that core electoral activities are still funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria as a sovereign responsibility, saying that “It is only funding from Government that is received and administered directly by the Commission.”
“The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN). Under the Phase II Project, there are several components, the first of which focuses on support to INEC administered through the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI).
“This support is designed to address 5 thematic areas i.e. enhancing and strengthening planning and operational capacities; improving the Commission’s internal communication and external engagements with stakeholders; enhancing The Electoral Institute’s capacity for training and research; assisting in the improvement of legal and policy frameworks for the conduct of elections; and enhancing the development and incorporation of technological innovations.
“Within the current Electoral Cycle, DAI has provided support towards capacity building, technical support, printing of non-sensitive reports and information flyers.”
