Education
Innovation: Ibadan Poly Introduces e-Voting System for SUG Elections
Management of The Polytechnic Ibadan has keyed into the fourth industrial revolution driven by digital technology by introducing an Electronic Voting System for the conduct of the just concluded Students Union (SUG) Government elections held on Wednesday, 13th November, 2019 at its Sango campus.
The elections, which was first of its kind in the institution commenced around 11am and ended at 6pm. An HND 1 student of public administration, Fadare Blessing emerged as the President with 1226 votes, while his closest rival, Salako Oluwatosin, polled 1149 votes in an election which many adjudged as peaceful, transparent, free and fair. Also, Adekola Yussuf emerged as the General Secretary with 903 votes to defeat Fasesan Toheeb who scored 755 votes.
At the collation centre, housing the agents, electoral committee amid tight security, also displayed real time results through projected media .
Speaking on the new innovation, the Deputy Registrar, Student Affairs, Mrs Ayoade Abosede Olu informed that the new initiative was to avert post-election acrimony and also to curb electoral violence which has been a tradition in the institution during electioneering period.
According to her, “we started very well and its going on very well. It is the best option that we have now and kudos to the school management for coming out with this idea. The election has been on since morning and you can see people sitting down no tension, we are okay.
“Before now, the election is always mar with violence and crisis but now we all have our peace. The voting is going on peacefully. Students don’t need to be on campus before voting once they can access the portal.
“Both the students and management prefer this system of voting because, there is less stress and it cost-less. Although, there are few challenges but I am sure that there will be improvement in subsequent elections”, Ayoade assured.
The implementation of the e-voting system, just like every other noble idea, is not without its challenges, she, however disclosed some of the challenges the exercise faced at the commencement of the election.
“The complaint we had was that some people are voting outside by hacking into the system but that has been resolved everything is normal now. It took us a long time before we can calm the candidates down and convince them about this option. We are supposed to have this election since August but we shifted it now to perfect the system because we don’t want any crisis or post-election violence”.
Also corroborating her, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Soladoye Adewole explained that the management set up electoral committee which included Faculty officers, Student representative council (SRC), Student Press Council and others to decide on what modalities to adopt for the election and the e-voting was the best option.
He stressed that the introduction of the e-voting system became imperative so as to eliminate doubt and fear of election rigging as the system is tension-free, adding that the new initiative has helped to reduce the cost of campaign during election.
Soladoye said, “ We settled for the e-voting, streamlined the pre-election process , midwived and put the process in place and the students were carried along. There was no tension, ballot snatching, killing, because they voted in their comfort zones. It is tension free.
The Polytechnic Ibadan image maker , however noted that there were few challenges, but reassured that more efforts would be channeled towards improving and sustaining the new system.
Some of the agents at the collation center who spoke with our reporter lauded the ingenuity of the management. They further called for the need for improvement on the system.
According to Akpeji Clement, one of the agents, “this is the first time the Polytechnic Ibadan is organizing such an innovative set up of voting online. It is a very good one. Before now there were a lot of anxieties. Students were wondering how it will go about especially how they would log on to the website. But with what we have seen, everything is going on fine, we hope that other institutions and the government would emulate this innovation to reduce electoral violence.
“With this system of voting, we have no option than to be satisfied with the outcome of the election. Although a lot of students were unable to vote based on the fact that we have to log in with our second semester school fee receipts. The fact that I have not paid my school fee receipt doesn’t mean that I am not a bonafide student of the Polytechnic of Ibadan”,
Another agent, Oyekunle Yusuf, who called for the need for voters education summited, “we are aware but I think they need to give us demo to know how to go about it. Not every students are familiar with this new system. But it is a very democratic way of electing our leaders”
Mega Icon Magazine reliably gathered that some students made effort to break into the system, but the management was in complete control of the situation.
No doubt, the alternative electronic voting has demonstrated great advantages especially in introducing efficiency at the vote tallying stage of the election. It is indeed, a secured approach to guarantee the sanctity of the process, but can be improved upon.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the commencement of its Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CBWASSCE) for private candidates, starting from October 25, 2024.
The examination is set to run until December 20, 2024, according to a statement released by the council on Tuesday.
In a bid to modernise the examination process, WAEC disclosed that the CBWASSCE will be conducted in a hybrid format.
Adesina Fadekemi, the council’s spokesperson, explained that the objective or multiple-choice questions would be displayed onscreen, requiring candidates to submit their responses electronically.
However, for essay and practical questions, while the questions will also be presented digitally, candidates will still provide answers using traditional answer booklets.
Additionally, WAEC has provided an option for candidates who prefer to use the conventional Paper and Pen mode for all exam papers, catering to those not comfortable with the digital format.
The council also extended the registration deadline for the upcoming CBWASSCE to Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Candidates who miss the registration window can still take advantage of the “Walk-in-Candidate” option, allowing them to register 24 hours before their preferred paper is scheduled.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr. Yunus Akintunde, has reaffirmed his commitment to aiding the Federal Polytechnic Ayede in realising its full potential.
Senator Akintunde made this pledge during a courtesy visit to the institution’s temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.
Speaking during the visit, the lawmaker highlighted his passion for contributing to humanity, especially through the advancement of education and skills development.
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“I am part of the polytechnic system. I started at The Polytechnic, Ibadan before going to Lagos State University, Ojoo, Lagos. I’m a lover of knowledge and I am always striving to contribute my quota in the area of education and skills development, among others, and in the legislative assignments as my primary responsibility,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further emphasised his dedication to supporting the Polytechnic and its community, stating that leaders should be driven by a commitment to serving humanity.
He cited the legacy of Hon. Olu Afolabi, a Second Republic House of Representatives member, who was instrumental in establishing the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
“Afolabi’s legacy remains evergreen today,” Akintunde remarked, emphasising the importance of creating lasting impacts through public service.
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As part of his developmental projects for the Oyo Central Senatorial District, Akintunde disclosed that he had procured 120 solar-powered boreholes to be installed across the 118 wards of the 11 local governments in his senatorial district, along with 10,000 solar street lights.
He assured the Federal Polytechnic Ayede that some of these solar street lights would be installed within the institution to enhance security and visibility on campus.
Earlier, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, who was represented by the acting Rector and Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr. Azeez Ojo, expressed gratitude to the senator.
The Rector noted that Senator Akintunde had demonstrated a deep commitment to philanthropic causes even before assuming office as a senator.
“You see, it’s a great privilege receiving Distinguished Senator Yunus Akintunde and his entourage on our campus today. Out of your magnanimity, Sir, you have decided to receive us,” Ojo said, acknowledging the senator’s gesture.
“Our Rector is away to Abuja for the progress and development of our Polytechnic. So, on behalf of the Chairman of our Governing Council, Barrister Ademubowale Mercy Adelabu; Rector; other Principal Officers; Deans; Directors; staff, and students, I welcome you and your entourage to Federal Polytechnic Ayede.
“While on Brave FM, you have, before even telling us, announced the gesture of solar lights donated to us. This we appreciate with the whole of our hearts,” he said.
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The Rector assured the lawmaker that his support would be instrumental in the continued growth and development of the fast-expanding institution.
The visit concluded with the Polytechnic community expressing hope for further collaboration with the senator in the areas of educational and infrastructural development.
(c) Mega Icon Magazine
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised serious concerns over the mass exit of 30 PhD holders from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), formerly known as Bauchi State University, citing deteriorating working conditions and inadequate welfare provisions as primary reasons for the exodus.
The worrying development was brought to light during a press conference held by ASUU on Friday, where officials of the union detailed the various challenges faced by academic staff at the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the union, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, lamented the lack of proper policies to retain top scholars, pointing out the absence of a formal employee exit policy.
“Many of our best scholars have been forced to seek better opportunities elsewhere,” Timothy said, adding that “SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place, as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country.”
He further explained that the lack of such provisions leaves academic staff insecure about their future. “Without a pension or death benefit scheme, our members feel unsafe and unsure of their long-term prospects,” Timothy remarked.
In addition to these grievances, the union condemned the university’s administration for its failure to pay over 650 million naira in accumulated entitlements, including earned academic allowances and honorariums for internal examiners. This has further deepened the discontent among staff members.
“Despite the university generating significant revenue from postgraduate programs, our members have not been compensated for their contributions,” Timothy disclosed.
The union also raised concerns over the sharp increase in student fees, coupled with the administration’s neglect of staff training and development.
Timothy criticised the university for imposing over a 100 percent hike in fees for regular undergraduate programmes, yet failing to address staff welfare.
“The university claims it lacks funds to pay our members, yet it continues to impose higher charges on students,” he stated.
ASUU also expressed displeasure with the continued tenure of the current Pro-Chancellor, who has remained in office since the university’s inception.
The union called for adherence to established regulations governing appointments, arguing that the prolonged tenure has stifled accountability and hindered the implementation of progressive policies.
In light of these critical issues, ASUU urged the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders to take immediate action to address staff welfare, calling for the establishment of a comprehensive exit policy and the payment of overdue allowances.
“Unless these issues are resolved, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.
He further called on the state government to declare a state of emergency at the university to ensure that all contentious matters are urgently addressed, securing the future of both academic staff and the institution.
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