Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enhance its electoral processes by fully embracing technology. He highlighted the recent Ghanaian elections as an example of efficiency and transparency, urging Nigerian authorities to draw lessons from their neighbor’s progress.
In a statement released on Monday, Saraki called for the elimination of excuses that allow certain INEC officials to conduct manual elections or delay the real-time upload of results onto the Result Viewing Portal (IReV). He emphasized the need to prevent any manipulation of electoral technology, which undermines the credibility of the process.
Reflecting on Ghana’s election, Saraki described it as a “wake-up call” for Nigeria. He said, “A situation where the election in Ghana was conducted on Saturday and by Sunday morning, the contestants had the results that were sufficient enough to make the ruling party concede victory must only be possible through the use of efficient technology.”
He dismissed claims that Ghana’s smaller population made this possible, pointing out that even in Nigeria’s single-state elections, results are rarely available the morning after voting. Saraki urged INEC to review its internal operations to improve efficiency and credibility.
He also called on the National Assembly to act urgently, suggesting amendments to electoral laws to address gaps and ensure elections are conducted transparently and in line with global best practices. “The NASS should update the laws to the point that they can help INEC deliver transparent, easy, fast, and credible elections,” he concluded.
