Ayuba Mafi
Dr. Umar Ibrahim, a lecturer with the Federal University Duste, Jigawa State in the department of public health has opined that the contentious issue of electronic voting in Nigeria is not feasible as of now and that, it may work in the near future.
The university, Don cited instances with healthcare to buttress his claim, he said the application use in Nigeria on mobile phones and other devices in the fight against maternal mortality remains in the Limbo, due to the accompanying challenges of poor network, e-compliance illiteracy, and that of electricity among others.
He added that the use of (Mobile Health) mHealth to provide Sexual and Reproductive Health services, including monitoring of progress and data sharing from the areas of coverage is still low despite intensive investment from both government and development partners.
“The usage is still low with no signs of improvement”, he said.
These challenges of low coverage are associated with several factors that include poor network coverage and electricity supply among others. The highlighted issues here are highly related to the obstacles that e-voting may encounter, which means that the country is not yet ripe for e-voting”, Dr. Umar further explained.
He insisted on the use of direct primaries for the benefit of the masses and Nigeria as a whole, adding that illiteracy is among the compounding reasons.
“Some voters in Nigeria are computer illiterates and when it comes to the issue of electronic voting they may not know how to use the electronic gadgets properly to vote for the candidate of their choice”, the university Don maintained.
Adding that, “I cannot say that the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari has a personal interest in the electoral bill, but as the final arbiter of certain issues in the country, including e-franchise; should exercise caution”.
“If the government of the day doesn’t want to confuse the masses, they should maintain direct voting”, Dr. Umar further noted.
He stressed that some politicians may be interested in electronic voting, as a means of saving their seats through e-voting because the computer is garbage in, garbage out the machine, without a brain of its own, is made to accept whatever instruction is made to accept. As such, software that may count every input in the favor of a certain party may be used
“Moreover, those holding elected offices that shun their constituency after the election may be the ones clamouring for e-voting, to favor themselves, which is not yet matured in my understanding”, he alleged.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari needs not approve the electronic bill in Nigeria just for the interest of politicians and a few other stakeholders in the country.
“But let him seek the views of several experts on e-issues to base his decision upon, while looking at the condition and situation of the masses, including their basic needs,” he said.
Umar further explained that the issue of the electronic voting system will be an easy way for non-popular politicians to manipulate elections because some may try their possible means, to influence the e-voting software which should not be so.
“I know that Mr. President has the masses in mind, I so much believe that he won’t assent to the electronic voting in Nigeria, without due consideration”
The University Don further said, “Nigeria is a blessed country in need of real patriotism with better commitment than ever”.
