Information and Communications Technology (ICT) experts on Saturday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to have contingency and backup plans that would help forestall challenges during elections.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria in separate interviews in Lagos that the postponement few hours to the commencement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections by INEC showed that it did not prepare for eventualities.
Mr Jide Awe, Chairman, Conferences Committee of the Nigeria Computer Society, told NAN that the postponement might be due to alleged technological issues.
He said that one could have the best card readers and everything, yet, lacked good planning.
“Unless something has happened that the commission does not want to tell the public because INEC is supposed to have a plan in place to ensure that things move smoothly today.
“That the postponement was because of logistics as said by INEC chairman means that they are not ready to deliver and since this is so, the best is to postpone the elections.
“There is definitely a problem with their planning and we should understand that nothing can be perfect in life.
“There is the need to foresee certain things and have a plan to tackle it,” he said.
Awe, however, appealed to intending voters to be calm and ensure they perform their civic responsibility on Feb. 23 and March 9 respectively.
Also, Mr Rogba Adeoye, the former President, Information Technology Systems and Security Professionals (ITSSP), told NAN that the postponement called for adjustment of schedules and activities nationwide.
“As a citizen I do not have much choice. INEC is saying that this is the best they can give us for now, what can we do than to be patient and wait for the D-day.
“The one thing that is bad in the whole postponement issue is the impact it will have on the citizens especially those with other engagements aside the election workers.
“Likewise, the students and teachers who were given midterm break will have their schools calendar disrupted again and this is not good for the educational system,” he said.