By Adama Makasuba
Alieu Momar Njai, chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission has advocated for a shift from marble to paper ballot system to help safe resources.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said marble cost a huge sum of money, but added that paper ballot system cost less money and is affordable as well.
“As you all know it has been mentioned here by me and others, in these elections and subsequent elections particularly when you have the local government elections where you have more and more candidates,” he said.
“It is high time for us to migrate to paper balloting. This is why it has been my cry all time because these are not the 50s and 60s,” he added.
He affirmed that the Commission spent D2 million per candidate just for ballot drums in the December 4th 2021 presidential election. Suggesting it might incur a similar cost in the upcoming National Assembly Elections.
“Those who have been out of the country can attest to it. The papers will have all the names, symbols, pictures and details of candidates, all you need to do is tick or thumbprint, it is that simple. With one ballot drum costing about D 1,200 conducting elections using marbles and drums is quite an expensive system,” he pointed out.
This is not the first time the Commission is suggesting a move from the current electoral system, they made the same call ahead of the December 4th 2021 presidential election.
“The Commission is committed to promoting and conducting free and fair elections based on democratic principles and practices. The Commission will also endeavour to conduct elections according to law,” he said.