Rauf Aregbesola, the recently immediate-past Minister, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to connect its voter registration database with the National Identity Management Commission’s database in order to avoid problems with credibility and transparency in the nation’s electoral process.
The former governor of Osun State made the request on Tuesday while presenting the lead paper, “Towards Free, Fair and Credible Elections,” at the Professional Statisticians Society of Nigeria’s 7th International Conference, which was held at Nasarawa State University in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Aregbesola said the proposition will instantly put an end to multiple registration and voting by minors in a statement released by his media office.
Aregbesola argued in favour of proper INEC training for party representatives, adding, “It appears for the most part that party representatives don’t know what to do on election day and at the polling places. They should be trained by INEC on the specific duties they will perform during the election.
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He stated: “I am suggesting a more seamless registration system that will be continuous and terminates only few weeks before the election, to allow for compilation and printing of cards. This registration should be synced with the National Identification Number.
“It will automatically eliminate underage voters and the possibility of multiple registration. More importantly, people should be able to do the registration online, on their own, just like most application processes we have today. They should only go to INEC office for biometric data capture and card collection only.”
Fourthly, the logistics should be smooth and seamless. In many instances, voting officials will arrive late or without the materials or the machines may just start malfunctioning. Elections should start and end on schedule. Many voters are eventually disenfranchised due to late commencement of voting.”
