AS part of preparations for free and fair polls in 2011, the Independent National Electoral Commission has concluded plans to install Closed-Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in polling units.
(http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/thumbnail.php?file=CCTV_562268987.jpg&size=article_medium)
Closed-Circuit Television Cameras ...some of the types purchased by INEC
It will, however, not be in all the 120,000 polling units but in critical units where malpractices are likely to occur.
It was learnt that over 12,000 units might be affected nationwide.
Since 1999, Nigerians have been voting in 120,000 polling units with the voting population between 56million and 62million.
About 56million Nigerians actually voted during the 2007 elections which were rated as "flawed" by the late President Umaru Yar'Adua.
The breakdown of the 120,000 polling units nationwide is as follows: Abia (2678); Adamawa (2612); Akwa Ibom (2982); Anambra (4623); Bauchi (4074); Bayelsa (1805); Benue (3691); Borno (3933); Cross River (2283); Delta (3625); Ebonyi (1784); Edo (2629); Ekiti (2195); Enugu (2958); Gombe (2218); Imo (3522); Jigawa (3527); Kaduna (5108); Kano (8074); Katsina (4897); Kebbi (2398); Kogi (2548); Kwara (1872); Lagos (8465); Nassarawa (1495); Niger (3188); Ogun (3221); Ondo (3009); Osun (3010); Oyo (4783); Plateau (2631); Rivers (4441); Sokoto (3035); Taraba (1911); Yobe (1714); Zamfara (2410) and FCT (562).
Past experience of outright rigging through the stuffing of ballot boxes, declaration of poll results without voting, snatching of ballot boxes, and many forms of malpractice in some states as reflected in verdicts by Election Petitions Tribunals and security reports are guiding INEC to give CCTV system a trial.
Also, it was discovered that although about 40 to 41 per cent of population in most states voted during general elections, the 2007 poll reflected 70 to 80 per cent voting in some states.
According to findings, INEC had initially planned to reduce the polling units but this was suspended when Prof. Attahiru Jega came on board because of time constraint and the distraction the reduction could cause for the electoral body.
INEC is contemplating "the use of CCTV cameras in critical polling units based on intelligence reports from security agencies."
A highly-placed source in the commission, who spoke in confidence, said: "We may use CCTV cameras in some strategic polling units but it will not be in all the 120,000 units. We cannot afford the logistics.
2011 poll: INEC to install CCTV cameras in polling units (http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/19607.html)