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| Application of the Smart Card Reader (SCR) In the Conduct of Elections in Nigeria: An Appraisal |
Agwudagwu, Anthony A. & Okafor, Jude C. PhD
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Abstract:
The focus of this study was to determine the dependability or reliability of the Smart Card Readers (SCR) in elections in Nigeria. SCR is an electronic Gadget adopted by INEC in 2015 for the conduct of elections with a view so as to have free, fair and credible elections in the country. Thus, the gadget was introduced to check electoral malpractices such as rigging, intimidation of voters and contestants, snatching of ballot boxes, and other challenges which have bedevilled Nigeria's democracy for years. From the analysis of data cum discussions, the paper revealed that widespread electoral malpractices are the fundamental reason for the introduction of Smart Card Reader in Nigerian elections. Furthermore, the study found out that there is a significant relationship between the use of Smart Card Reader in elections and the credibility of election results in Nigeria. Finally, the study also revealed that technological constraints and corruption (collusion of INEC officials and government) are some of the problems associated with the Smart Card Reader. Against this backdrop, the study recommends that the government should take necessary steps to make the use of the Smart Card Reader and its enforcement constitutional as it has helped to reduce the hitherto clandestine electoral malpractices among others. Also, the government should embark on necessary measures to tackle the challenges of frauds, posing a serious obstacle to enthroning fair and credible elections in Nigeria. Furthermore, that INEC should deploy high quality Smart Card Readers in elections in Nigeria as it will aid to curtail cases of Card Reader malfunctions in elections and also make use of well-trained ICT staff in the use of Smart Card Readers in the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
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