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The last may not have been heard of the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to employ electronic voting in the nation’s electoral process.
A source within the commission told LEADERSHIP in Lagos that though INEC is cognizance of the impediments to the realization of the idea, it may still go ahead with its implementation by seeking an amendment to the Electoral Act.
According to the source, the major hurdle to the application of electronic devices in the electoral process remains the fact that the Act prohibits e-voting for the conduct of elections.
Though the electoral umpire had been receiving knocks from political stakeholders such as opposition political parties, who described the idea as a recipe to give the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) an undue advantage, some other commentators argue that owing to high level illiteracy in the country, the idea would fail.
Though the source stopped short of giving a time frame for when the amendment would be sought, some people also argue that owing to deficiency in the availability of relevant infrastructural requirements, the idea would be doomed.
?“INEC as a body is aware that the country lacks infrastructure to drive the initiative but that can always be surmounted by the commission.” The source maintained.
Indications emerge last night that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may restructure some personnel which will see the redeployment of some directors to other departments.
LEADERSHIP gathered yesterday that the proposed changes will see the redeployment of Saliu Tukur who is the Chief of Staff to the INEC chairman, and perceived by all and sundry as powerful.
They include Bawa Ibrahim who is the Director of Legal Services, Regina Omoagege, Director Political Parties; and Abdullahi Kaguma, Director of Publicity.
It was alleged that former INEC chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu had continued to be relevant in the Prof. Jega-led administration the current kitchen cabinet of the previous administration
“The Presidency has ordered the reorganization of the structures in INEC following damning petitions against some directors of the commission who have allegedly formed a cartel that influences major decisions of the commission. It got so bad that most sensitive issues are hijacked from getting to the attention of the chairman,” the source said.
He further stated that the Jega led administration has suffered some setbacks because of the over bearing influence of these directors, especially Tukur who many see as the de-facto chairman.
? Meanwhile the affected directors, LEADERSHIP learnt, influenced major contracts awarded to the commission, meddled in party affairs, thereby, causing disaffection among party members, the current APGA crises is one. The commissioners are groaning under these directors and they intend to clip their powers by posting them where they will be less influential.
However, LEADERSHIP contacted Mr. Kayode Idowu the spokesman to the INEC chairman who said, “I can categorically tell you that it is untrue, out rightly false. Restructuring is not the same as shake up. To restructure means some departments are going to be created, some will be merged, and there is movement here and there. The staff has to be trained and retooled which is standard practice.”
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