By David Onimisi Lawani
Following the need for continuous training of, State Trainers and selected staff of the ICT department on Technology Innovations in Elections which has commenced the process of exposing staff to different skills and innovation on how to improve the electoral process.
The training which is organized by the UNDP in collaboration with the Electoral Institute, EI, and ICT department held at Ever Phoenix Hotel and Guest Inn in Ilorin, Kwara State said the four days training would interrogate and inculcate technological innovation in the Electoral process with emphasis on the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration and the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for Voter accreditation on Election day.
The Residential Electoral Commissioner REC, Kwara State, Dr. Attahiru Garba while declaring the training Open admonished the participants to have confidence in the process, as the Commission is doing her best to deliver on its mandate to conduct free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections.
Also, the representative of the Country Director UNDP, Mr. Segun Olushola, in his welcome address expressed gratitude to the Commission and the UNDP for choosing Ilorin, Kwara State as a venue assuring all everyone present of safe and conducive environment. He further commended the initiative to introduce new technological innovation aimed at improving the Electoral Process.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Electoral Institute (TEI) Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, who was represented by the Director, Training Dr. Binta Mohammed Kasim in his goodwill message, noted that technology-driven Electoral processes guarantee the credibility and transparency of Elections.
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He declared that the training is coming at an auspicious time as the Commission has approved the deployment of BVAS for the Anambra State Governorship Elections, after a successful pilot phase in the last Isoko South Election held on 11th September 2021.
He thereafter tasked all trainers to engage the facilitators so as to ensure successful completion of the training. In addition, The Director of Training also encouraged the participants to give due attention to the training.
She stated that we are in a digital age and therefore, there is a need to meet the aspirations of the public dominated by the youths. She advised participants present to make sure they all keep abreast of what is going on in the Commission in particular and the Technological World at large.
The Director, ICT Department, Engineer Chidi Nwafor represented by DD ICT, Rasak Agboola gave the chronological status of the ICT department, what they have done so far in terms of integrating ICT in the Electoral Process.
He commended the Commission and advised all participants to open their minds to learning and relearning so as to catch up with what is obtainable and expected the world over. He emphasized the need for synergy between the ICT department and the Electoral Institute for effective transmission of knowledge of the Electoral process.
