- Nigeria should consider electronic voting – Dr. Ayantoyinbo
Ahead of the upcoming general elections in the country, the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) Lagos State Branch has outlined the strategic role of logistics in achieving credible polls.
The professional body revealed this when it organized a virtual seminar via zoom titled: “Logistics & Electoral Process” to further sensitize its members.
At the conference, the Guest Lecturer at the seminar, Dr. Benedict Ayantoyinbo, CMILT, an associate Professor from the Department of Transport Management, Lautech, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, posited that credible elections can’t be devoid of an effective and efficient logistics system.
Dr. Ayantoyinbo’s paper demystified the role of logistics in an electoral process, even as he recommended that in addition to an effective and efficient logistics system, in future the nation should adopt electronic voting.
The University don also addressed the manufacturing of Bvas, pre-election logistics, post election process, logistics systems of INEC, INEC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), transporting the INEC materials, among others.
He also explained why there has been an increase in INEC budget when compared to previous elections; even as he noted some challenges in the electoral process, managing ad-hoc staff, voting in rural areas; the need to reduce the concentration of security agencies, etc.
Delivering her keynote address, the Special Guest at the seminar, Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro, FCILT, who is also the President and Chairperson of the Council of CILT-Nigeria, stated that the essence of the topic was to ensure the attainment of credible elections in Nigeria and maximum participation of the electorates without logistics hiccups.
She, however, called on the branch to capture the salient points raised at the seminar so that the observations and recommendations will be forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as contributions of logistics experts in Nigeria.
Usoro equally commended the branch for the initiative and described the topic as appropriate and timely with the Presidential Elections holding on Saturday.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the CILT Lagos Branch, Mr. Bashir Ambi Mohammed, FCILT tasked the participants to embrace the knowledge-sharing opportunities available at the seminar, emphasizing the critical role logistics plays not only during elections but also to national development.
The event was exquisitely moderated by Mrs. Margaret Ogbonna, FCILT as she ensured every aspect of the online summit was properly managed, especially the interactive segment.