Fears are rife over the the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.

But, will reverting to the use of the manual paper ballot system foster electoral transparency and credibility?

A source, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said: “The INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, was rooting for electronic method. He is committed to the use of technology. But, the commission may not use the much-advanced electronic voting machine system. It may continue the use of ballot paper for the 2023 general elections.

“To this effect, the chairman may be setting up a committee to give a comprehensive budget for the procurement and supply of ballot papers for the 2023 general elections.”

To observers, this latest development is worrisome and makes mockery of the clamour by Nigerians for digitalised elections to improve its credibility, which will erode the much anticipated improvement in the use of technology in the electoral system.

The use of the electronic voting machine in previous elections in other climes have deepened the transparency and credibility of  the electoral process.

Will Nigeria not be on the retrogressive path, if INEC goes ahead to ditch the introduction of electronic voting machine for the outmoded ballot paper system?

In previous polls, the manual ballot system has put the commission under heavy logistics burden, including the printing of electoral papers and hiring of thousands of ad hoc staff, which is inimical to the current measures put in place by the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid19 protocols.

Nigeria’s current voting population is over 84 million.  It does not make any economic sense to use the ballot paper system for a country that does not produce paper, especially at this time of depleted foreign reserves and scarcity of foreign exchange.

The electronic machine, when procured, can be disinfected. It even makes it easier to adhere to Covid 19 protocols. It can also be secured  for future elections, thus saving the country the billions of naira spent on printing ballot papers in every election cycle.

Yakubu had said during the 2021 budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on November 4, last year that the agency would deploy the electronic voting machines soon.

Many thought that the Anambra State governorship poll on November 6 would be the starting point.

He had disclosed that over 40 companies had indicated interests in hardware and software production, adding that they had been invited to make demonstrations in line with the commission’s specifications.

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Also, there is a legal framework that will enable the use of electronic voting machine passed by the National Assembly.

Electronic voting will prevent a situation whereby desperate candidates stuff ballot boxes with multiple thumbprinting ahead of polls.

A remarkable progress was made in 2015 when the card readers were introduced for accreditation and voting.

The previous PDP administration allayed the same fear in the build-up to the 2015 general elections. Despite adopting the use of card reader system and losing the presidential elections, a lot of gains were recorded.

According to observers, INEC has sufficient time to deploy ballot machines and carry out the necessary public enlightenment to sensitise voters ahead of general elections.

No fewer than two million Nigerians have registered online to vote in eight weeks. This also attests to the willingness of voters to embrace electronic voting.

Four weeks ago, the Commission commenced the in-person or physical registration as well as the completion of online pre-registration in  state and local government area offices nationwide. The numer of completed registration now stands at 430,363.

INEC Commissioner for Education Festus Okoye said detailed distribution of the online and completed registration by state/FCT, age, gender, occupation and disability has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public information.

He appealed to eligible citizens who have not registered before to seize the opportunity to do so.

Okoye added: “For emphasis, the Commission wishes to reiterate that those who have already registered as voters need not register again.

“However, those who wish to transfer to another place where they wish to vote in future elections or who have issues with their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) may apply online or in-person for resolution.”