THE EFFECT OF SMART CARD READER ON ELECTION CREDIBILITY IN NIGERIA: 2019 GENERAL ELECTION

Abstract

Over the years Nigeria is faced with the persistent problems of election rigging and manipulations from the politicians, electoral bodies and voters in which the peoples vote is not counted and this resulted to serious crisis during the post election period. The introduction of smart card reader by INEC in the process of election in Nigeria has made a significant impact in sensitizing the electoral process as well as reducing electoral fraud, creating free and fair election. The application of smart card reader has yielded a positive result in consolidating democracy in Nigeria especially the voter's accreditation process, authentication of the registered voters and control of election malpractices. This study is aim at examine the effect of smart card reader in the 2019 general election. The study adopted survey method. Data were collected through the primary source, 400 questionnaires were distributed. 285 were completed and retrieved. The study finds out that the inability of the smart card reader to function effectively during the election serves as it biggest challenge. Conclusively, the emergent of smart card reader in 2015 general election and other technological devices unveil the prospect of the country's election to be largely managed by technology appears achievable. The study recommended that enlightenment and sensitizations to Ad-hoc staffs and electorates should be created by the government and electoral bodies through voters' education programme.