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.

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.

"The whole idea is to make every vote to count. The era of stuffing ballot boxes, scaring away voters from exercising their rights, or unleashing mayhem on innocent Nigerians is gone.

"We have not identified the polling units that might be affected but they will certainly cut across all the six geopolitical zones in the country.

"The intelligence service is already assisting in isolating or identifying the critical polling units and the affected states after which INEC will decide how to go about it.

"We are looking at about five to 10 per cent of the nation’s polling units at the pioneer stage. Some are even suggesting a pilot plan of about two to three per cent of the polling units. And these CCTV cameras will be strategically installed in such a manner that nobody will know except INEC and security agencies.

"If we succeed with this pilot scheme in critical areas, it will assist in future polls. Also, we would have laid the foundation for e-voting process in the country."

The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Publicity, Chief Solomon Soyebi, confirmed the plan.

He said: "We are just trying to explore the possibility of using the CCTV cameras at the next polls in specific units.

"If we are going to use the CCTV cameras, it will not be in all the 120,000 polling units because it is capital intensive and it is electricity and technology-driven.

"So, we are considering this option but there is no concrete decision on it yet."

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, said: "The commission, of course, has a comprehensive plan to monitor proceedings at the polling units towards ensuring the integrity of the process.

"Part of the plan is the installation of CCTV cameras. Do not forget that the Chairman of INEC has said plans are under way to establish an electronic, real-time monitoring of the voters’ registration and elections with the possibility of integrating high quality video."

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The question I have is this.

what if the cctv is removed and destroyed just before the malpractices?

I dont know ooo.

But think it may not work.

Then they should move the polling units to places just across banks' premises where cameras are always on surveillance. I think a lot of people will however be ready to capture incidents on their camera phones if there's the need to. If I had the time and vantage postition, its something I can do and maybe sell to some politician who may not be favored by the results.