The introduction of the technology-driven electronic card reader system in the 2015 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received commendation from media analysts who described the development as a positive step that has empowered the electorate. Though the card reader machine malfunctioned in some polling booths, the media analysts say the concept and its application to the election in the first instance gave Nigerians hope that their votes would count.
“Jonathan knew that the card readers would en- throne transparency. His positive disposition to the system initiated by INEC is commendable and this time the electorates’ votes have counted”, Dayo Elegbe, a digital marketing practitioner told BusinessDay. Citing the chairman of INEC, Attahiru Jega’s comment on the 0.25 percent failure rate of the system, Elegbe said at that rate, it was satisfactory. “The system was a positive step to minimise manual interference. As a digital marketer, I am excited that with the system, INEC will produce data on people who voted in terms of demography.” Elegbe said INEC and Jonathan deserve commendation for introducing a sys- tem that showed transparency in the election process.
Another media analyst, John Ehiguese, who is the president of public relations consultants association of Nigeria, said the card reader is a positive step introduced by INEC which has given Nigerians hope. He hopes that the system will be sustained. Ehiguese said though there were hiccups such was only to be expected of any new system. He believes that it will get better. He said the system was close to full proof and had forced politicians to come to terms with the fact that power belongs to the people.
