Ali Baba: How INEC can make its operation digital — and save huge costs

Ali Baba, Nigerian stand-up comedian and actor, says the operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be made digital if logistic issues are to be eliminated.

The comedian, 53, made the statement while commenting on the postponement of the Nigerian presidential election slated to hold Saturday, February 16.

“I don’t know the rocket science behind planning an election that makes us not prepared after 4 whole years. What is hard in planning for a election?” Ali Baba said.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, had explained that the logistics inadequacy of the commission put a damper on the feasibility of proceeding with the electoral process.

Making an illustration with the SIM card, Ali Baba explained that digitalising the electoral process is the way forward.

“Use the same biodata capture used for SIM card collection. Everyone who is qualified to vote gets a SIM card. The dream of one man one vote will become a reality,” he said.

“That way, you can vote in advance, change your mind and vote for another party until the date of election. And once the biodata is captured, the huge costs for election materials can be eliminated.

“When the time for election comes, you insert your SIM in your phone, cast your vote and return your SIM to its case. INEC operations should be digital.

“There are Nigerians who can build that security platform in one month. All banks have online platforms. Transactions running into millions are done every minute on those platforms.”

The presidential and national assembly elections have been rescheduled for February 23 while the governorship elections are to follow a week late on March 9.