The authorities have been called upon to allow the electorates use their mobile phones to vote for their preferred candidates on election day.

Dr Edward Perekebina Agbai who spoke yesterday during the launch of the book entitled: “The 2023 Election in Nigeria, Actors, Intrigues and Winners” in Abuja called on the national Assembly to create the enabling environment for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement the measure.

Agbai who is the Director of Governance, Black Engineers of Canada and co- author of the book argued that the problem associated with voters apathy would be solved if Nigerians are allowed to vote with their mobile phones.

He contended that the proposed measure is not only cost effective but would allow the electorates vote for candidates of their choice without undue influence from anti-democratic forces in the country.

He also reiterated the need for Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the electioneering process in Nigeria.

Said he: “There would be high level of election participation by citizens. I am an account owner and I do my transactions with my phone. So it means that I can participate in a transaction without going anywhere.

“So I can participate in an election without actually going anywhere because I can do it on my phone. We all all know the issues surrounding security. So the cost of security would also go down because I can do it from my phone. Nobody would be there to influence me.

“You can vote from our phones. There is a large chunk of Nigerians in the diaspora who should vote because they remit money to Nigeria. If they can send money from their phones why shouldn’t they vote.

“I think that these two are the significance things that would change. Technology democratises the space of anything , including election. It would reduce the cost of election and curb issues relating to violence, thuggery and intimidation of voters.”

The Chairman of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Engr Yabagi Sani who graced the occasion applauded the authors – Dr(s) Theo Boufini, Edward Agbai, Edward Aigbedion, and Waribugo Sylva for providing the opportunity to well meaning Nigerians to interrogate the processes, actions, and outcomes during the 2023 general elections and the recently concluded off-cycle elections.

He said it behooves Nigerians to strive for a democracy that is inclusive, transparent, and responsive to their needs.

The authors made far reaching recommendations that include Strengthening of democratic institutions, Introduction of the Electoral College, Diaspora voting, Electronic Voting, Independent candidacy, Lengthy electoral adjudication process, Prosecution of election offenders, Revisiting of the Uwais Report on Electoral Reforms, and the ‘Judicialization’ of Elections.