The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received innovative electoral management tools from the European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) on Thursday.
The tools came through Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), to further improve Nigeria’s electoral system.
The technological tools, received by the INEC President, Mahmood Yakubu at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, were presented by the interim Head of Development Cooperation of the European Union Delegation, Ruben Aguilera.
They include the Official Compilation and Scrutiny Management System (CROMS); Electoral Results Management System (ERMS); Political Party Financial Reporting and Audit System (PFRAS).
Also included were the media monitoring and analysis tool, as well as the online application for voters and election officials, to easily locate existing voting units across the country.
Mr Yakubu, while praising the EU SDGN for the support, said INEC would closely examine the tools with a view to adopting or modifying them where necessary, to meet immediate and emerging challenges in carrying out the elections.
He commended EU-SDGN for its support to INEC under its Phase II Project with several components, the first of which focused on supporting INEC through the DAI.
Mr. Yakubu said that the support was designed to address five thematic areas, that is, to improve and strengthen planning and operational capacities.
Other areas are improving the Commission’s internal communication and external engagements with stakeholders and improving the Electoral Institute’s capacity for training and research, among others.
He said that within the current election cycle, DAI had provided support for capacity building, technical support, printing of non-confidential reports and information brochures.
He said that INEC was pleased that today, some of the tools developed in collaboration with DAI were delivered to the commission.
These included CROMS aimed at streamlining, simplifying and improving the security, reliability and credibility of the recruitment process for referral and return officers, according to Yakubu.
“The ERMS seeks to guarantee a better results management process, improving accuracy and creating a repository of electoral results, something provided by Section 62 (1) and (2) of the 2022 Electoral Law.
“The Media Monitoring and Analysis tool is intended to improve the Commission’s ability to filter media coverage of the Commission.
“The PFRAS seeks to help the commission monitor the financing of political parties more efficiently and effectively,” he said.
Mr. Yakubu said that in developing the tools, DAI consultants worked closely with INEC’s technical team and senior staff members.
He added that the tools sought to respond to specific challenges encountered in the implementation of electoral activities, thus bringing technology to improve the operational effectiveness of the commission.
“Therefore, the tools offer innovative solutions that could foster efficiency, speed, due diligence and trust in the electoral process,” Mr. Yakubu said.
The INEC president added that the tools were not specifically designed for a particular electoral cycle, hence their usefulness for future elections and electoral activities.
He said that support for INEC under EU-SDGN Phase II covered the period 2022-2027, going through two electoral cycles (2023 and 2027).
He said that the support also included support for the National Assembly and the judiciary, political parties, the media, civil society organizations and the promotion of inclusion (women, youth and people with disabilities).
Reiterating the commission’s readiness for future collaboration with the EU, Mr. Yakubu re-emphasized that central electoral activities in Nigeria were fully funded by the Nigerian government.
“I would like to thank DAI and the EU-SDGN Phase II Project. The commission is open to future collaboration with the EU through its implementing partners.
“I must also continue to emphasize that core electoral activities are still funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria as a sovereign responsibility,” said Mr. Yakubu.
For his part, Mr. Aguilera said the EU was hopeful that the tools delivered to INEC would contribute to improving the commission’s operations and Nigeria’s electoral system.
“Today’s delivery of these management tools is another example of how this collaboration can translate into concrete action and support to benefit INEC and Nigeria as a whole.
“We seek to provide them with new electoral results management system tools that facilitate and provide efficient results management,” said Mr. Aguilera.
He said the handover of the developed tools also demonstrated the EU’s commitment to improving the democratic system in Nigeria and around the world.
“As you know, the EU’s support for the elections is consistent and forms part of our fundamental principles.
“It is also in our own interest because we believe that without democracy there is no way that a country can meet the needs of its citizens and can really develop its development capacity and provide opportunities for all.
“Therefore, we believe that strong democratic institutions are at the core.
“We are really investing and doing everything we can to help in Nigeria to support those institutions to get stronger every day.
“A stronger Nigeria also means a stronger EU and we really hope and sincerely believe that this is a common effort,” he said.
Hailing the collaboration between the EU and INEC since the return of democratic governance to Nigeria since 1999, Mr. Aguilera reiterated the EU’s commitment to continue working and collaborating with all.
He added that the EU looked forward to the conclusion of the ongoing INEC review of the 2023 general elections and that the lessons learned would serve as a roadmap for future collaborations and engagements.
“We are looking forward to seeing how this will be implemented and could be part of the review of the upcoming circular elections to be held in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states.”
(YAYA)
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