AHEAD of the conduct of 2019 Presidential election on 16 February, an independent election observation group, YIAGA Africa has deployed Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) technology as well as 3,946 citizens observers for the monitoring of the poll.
PVT is an advanced methodology for election observation. It is a powerful citizens’ tool for assessing the conduct of polling on election day and verifying official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, speaking at Watching the Vote media roundtable on the 2019 elections and PVT, said the deployment of PVT technology would ensure that the outcome of the elections is acceptable to all based on timely and prompt statistical data and information on the election results.
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Itodo explained that one of the critical objectives of PVT was to ensure that citizens votes count by deterring fraud and manipulation during the conduct of elections and collation of results.
He said the #WatchingTheVote project using the PVT would provide timely and accurate information about the election process to voters and stakeholders as well as build citizens confidence in the elections.
He said the Parallel Vote Tabulation was developed in the Philippines in 1986 and has been deployed in 52 countries using statistical principles and information and communication technologies (ICTs).
He said for the purpose of 2019 Presidential election, a total of 3,946 observers would be deployed across the country.
He disclosed that about 3,030 observers would be deployed to 1515 polling units, 822 roving observers, and 40 data clerks that would be at the Centre in Transcorp Hilton.
While stressing on the efficacy of PVT in providing accurate information on the election results which is usually based on Margin of Errors, Itodo, said the technology would counter fake news and mitigate conflict during the election.
He disclosed the YIAGA group had deployed PVT in 2011, 2015 and now the 2019 Presidential election.
