The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday received electoral management innovative tools from the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN).
The tools came through the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), to further enhance Nigeria’s electoral system.
The technology tools, received by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, were presented by acting Head of Development Cooperation of the European Union Delegation, Mr. Ruben Aguilera.
They include Collation and Returning Officers Management System (CROMS); Election Results Management System (ERMS); Political Parties Financial Reporting and Audit System (PFRAS).
Also were Media Monitoring and Analysis tools as well as an online App for voters and electoral officers, to easily locate existing polling units across the country.
Yakubu, while commending the EU-SDGN for the support, said INEC would closely examine the tools with a view to adopting or tweaking them where necessary, to meet the immediate and emergent challenges in the conduct of elections.
He commended EU-SDGN for its support for INEC under its Phase II Project with several components, the first of which focused on support to INEC through the DAI.
Yakubu said that the support was designed to address five thematic areas i.e. enhancing and strengthening planning and operational capacities.
Other areas are improving the Commission’s internal communication and external engagements with stakeholders and enhancing the Electoral Institute’s capacity for training and research, among others.
He said that within the current electoral cycle, DAI had provided support towards capacity building, technical support, printing of non-sensitive reports and information flyers.
He said INEC was glad that today, some of the tools developed in collaboration with DAI were being handed over to the commission.
These included the CROMS intended to streamline, simplify and enhance the security, reliability and credibility of the recruitment process for collation and returning officers, açcording to Yakubu.
“The ERMS seeks to ensure better results management process, enhancing accuracy and creating a repository of election results, something envisaged by Section 62 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“The Media Monitoring and Analysis tool intends to enhance the Commission’s capacity to filter media coverage of the Commission.
“The PFRAS seeks to assist the commission to monitor political party finance more efficiently and effectively,” he said.
Yakubu said that in developing the tools, DAI consultants worked closely with the technical team and directing members of staff of INEC.
He added that the tools sought to respond to specific challenges encountered in the implementation of electoral activities, thereby bringing technology to enhance the commission’s operational effectiveness.
“The tools therefore offer innovative solutions that could foster efficiency, speed, due diligence, and trust in the electoral process, “Yakubu said.
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