Election 2015: INEC Needs Effective Communication Strategy - CDD

Director CDD, Hassan Idayat

Following the observation of a mock election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday, December 13, 2014, at  Abuja Municpal Area Council- Garki, Games village, CITEC Mbora Estate and Bwari Area Council in Usuma, Berger Camp and Owner Occupier, using card reader in preparation for the 2015 general elections, the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has called on the electoral body to improve on its publicity and communication strategy ahead of the elections.

In a press statement signed by CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, she stated that the poor handling of publicity and communication marred the mock election exercise as majority of eligible citizens are not aware of the exercise.
"We also believe that poor handling of publicity and communication of the exercise by INEC marred the process, as majority of citizens have no idea the exercise was on in the designated centres.  We call on INEC to improve its publicity and communication strategy," She wrote in the statement.

CDD commended the introduction of the Card readers and PVCs, noting that it is time saving and will check fraud thereby bringing integrity into Nigeria's electoral system.

"CDD observed, the card reader takes an average of 30 seconds to verify a PVC and overall an average of one minute to attend to a voter. With what we have witnessed, we commend the introduction of the Card readers and PVCs as it is time saving and will check fraud thereby bringing integrity into our electoral system,"

CDD further stated that low turnout for the mock election exercise which commenced as early as 8.20am with INEC personnel and materials already at designated Centres, makes it difficult to judge the effectiveness of the card readers.
"However, the very low turnout for the exercise makes it difficult to adjudge how effective the card reader maybe in the 2015 elections where at least 500 voters are expected to vote per voting point," CDD wrote it the statement.

The exercise commenced at 9am with the Verification of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) using the card reader.