Tuesday, 19th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search
News  

ICT would ease electoral processes – Obasanjo, Jega

By Tamarausinla Omomo
19 December 2018   |   11:36 am
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has suggested solutions to some barriers associated with the electoral process in Africa. Obasanjo, on Tuesday in a meeting at Abeokuta, urged leaders to put in place the Information Communication Technology (ICT) to ease electoral processes in Africa. He spoke alongside the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral…

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has suggested solutions to some barriers associated with the electoral process in Africa.

Obasanjo, on Tuesday in a meeting at Abeokuta, urged leaders to put in place the Information Communication Technology (ICT) to ease electoral processes in Africa.

He spoke alongside the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, at a meeting of some African leaders on the review of electoral systems in Africa.

“African leaders are poised to propose models of successful deployment of ICT in electoral systems in Africa for the sustenance of democracy in the region,” Obasanjo said.

He pointed out that, a seamless electoral process would guarantee sound governance, which he noted remains “a much sought-after element in the development of Africa,” according to him.

Jega, in his statement, said that two essentially areas that technology has not yet been fully utilized are the electronic collation and transmission of results; and electronic voting.

“The use of appropriate technology goes a long way to improve the efficiency of the conduct of elections, as well as the integrity of elections, worldwide and especially in Africa,” Jega said.

“Opportunities need to be explored and adequately utilized. But, we must constantly remember that the use of ICT in elections is a means to an end, and not an end in itself,” he added.

A few other African Presidents, who were present at the meeting were, John Mahama (Ghana), Ernest Koroma (Sierra Leone) and former Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga.

0 Comments