The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently ongoing and we as a nation are experiencing issues with its voting system with Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). This has made it difficult for voting results to be uploaded and has affected the 2023 general election.
INEC needs to take steps to ensure that their voting results are easily accessible to voters which could greatly benefit from the implementation of IT-related solutions and services to ensure that their data is protected, their systems are secure, and their voting processes are uninterrupted. such as good internet service, AI-Driven network solutions, and cybersecurity solutions to help solve these issues.
The first solution would be to build a reliable database to store the voter information and the election results. The database should be secure and include safeguards against any tampering with data. This can be achieved by deploying a secure database system in which Layer3 has partnered with leading service providers. Additionally, the system should be equipped with encryption mechanisms to protect the confidential data of the voters.
A good internet connection should be implemented in the area of voting. This will ensure that the results are uploaded instantaneously and can be done remotely. This will make it easier for INEC to transmit the voting data to their Head office efficiently.
Secondly, INEC should consider deploying a web-based application to capture and upload election results. This would be a quick and easy way to collect and report the election results in real time. The application could be built using sophisticated web development technologies. This would also allow INEC to directly interact with the voters to share important updates and post-election results. These solutions should also be implemented to ensure that the systems used in the voting process are running smoothly. As such, the INEC should invest in a reliable solution that is integrated with the other systems to prevent any connectivity issues.
This will also help to avoid any system delays or crashes that could potentially hamper the voting process.
INEC should also consider investing in Artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive analytics solutions. With these solutions, the board can analyze voter data and trends quickly to enable speedy decision-making. Moreover, the commission can develop chatbots that would enable a smooth communication channel between the board and the voters.
Finally, INEC should use cybersecurity solutions to protect the data that is collected from the voting process. This means that the INEC should invest in a reliable system that encrypts and secures the data that is collected from the voting process both in-person and remotely.
This will help to ensure that there is no tampering with the results or loss of data which could cause major issues. Applying proactive measures and forensic techniques to protect computer networks, data, and information systems from attacks and data breaches such as-
- Use of passwords and authentication protocols
- Implementation of security controls
- Use of firewalls and intrusion detection and prevention systems
- Regular scanning for threats and vulnerability assessment
- Use of security Incident Response Plans
- Deployment of Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AA&A) solutions
- Protection of user data files against accidental deletion, modification, and unauthorized access
Layer3 providing these solutions helps to ensure that the issue of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) related issues are dealt with during elections and provide a secure, efficient, and reliable system to ensure accurate and consistent results going forward during elections.
