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INEC ADOPTS DIRECT DATA CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will
adopt the Direct Data Capture (DDC) technology with manual
back-up for the revalidation of the voters’ register
in the 36 states of the country.
The change from the Optical Mark Reading system (OMR) to
the Direct Capture is to make the exercise more transparent,
speedy and less cumbersome. The equipment to be used consists
of two components which are the Data and the Printer Units.
While the Data Unit records the data of the registrants,
the Printer Unit will directly capture the photograph and
finger print of the registrant and a voter’s card
is printed with the card containing the voter’s digital
image as well as the finger-print biometrics of the voter.
The Commission took this decision because of the portability,
ruggedness and more importantly, the transparency, efficiency
and less cumbersomeness of the system.
It will be recalled that the Commission in the month of
April, conducted a pilot scheme on revalidation of the voters
register in all the 562 registration Units in the Federal
Capital Territory. The pilot study has revealed that a more
efficient, easier to operate and less cumbersome system
could be applied.
The Electoral Act 2006 Section 10 (5) provides that the
registration of voters, updating and revision of the register
of voters shall stop not later than 120 days before any
election. This means that the register must be ready by
December, 2006 in preparation for 2007 election.
Meanwhile, manufacturers of this system have been demonstrating
their brands of machines. The Commission is in the process
of selecting a brand which suit the Nigerian environment.
Immediately, this adopted brand will be ordered for and
the revalidation exercise will be conducted.
Voters Register is critical to the success of any election.
As a matter of fact, it is the engine room of election hence
the need for meticulous study to enable the Commission realize
the objective of credible and efficient Register. Afterall,
“What is worth doing at all is worth doing well”
says the adage.
In a democracy, there must be a level playing field for
all. INEC is committed to transparency, fairness and credibility
in the 2007 election. The Commission is putting all that
is necessary to ensure the fairness of the 2007 elections
and is working to its timetable and will deliver 2007 credibly.
Pastor Segun Adeogun
Director, Public Affairs
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