The participants discussed the role of social media and technology as viable tools of change in electoral reform. The show was anchored by Chinedu Chidi.
Chinedu Chidi got the participants into discussion by asking how ready Nigerians are for the 2011 Elections using the Social Media?
Mr Busayo Akanro, a A Nation Builder estimated percentage of the ICT growth in Nigeria at about 60%. He emphasized that masses can produce contents that have positive impact on the media like text messages, and videos and upload them on social networking platforms on the internet with the use of today's cutting edge technology.
He also gave insight on how the internet can be a useful source of free information while enabling users to be in control of whatever information they wish to share. He added that the anonymity of the internet and some technology devices further makes it easy to share information as no permission, licence or information bill is required to disseminate information.
The guest Osita Nwoye, Internet Consultant argued the perception that the internet can or technology can do everything as sighted by Bisayo. In his words, "There is no amount of what we do electronically for example on Blackberry of Facebook that can replace how it could be done in reality.
He agreed to the fact that, the social networking platforms are going to be very useful in this period of elections, because it is going to be used to monitor activities at the polls to prevent electoral frauds. He said " We will not leave it in their hands, we will tweet, facebook, send sms, and pictures to find out if there is electoral violence or not. Clips of video taken will be posted on youtube communicated across to the people. So that anyone that rigs would be disgraced on Facebook,Twitter and all the internet blogs. This is to ensure that people are carried along and not waiting for INEC."
He noted that it is imperative to ensure that the technologies and gadgets put in place by INEC for the elections in used accordingly. He also lauded the INEC for the technology put in place for the just concluded voter registration in Nigeria.
Also on the show Mr Mayowa Owolabi, A Technology Development Professional stated that things are very different from what we used to have in the past as the use of social media has bridged the gap between people in government and the masses compared to what we used to have in the past.
He said there is a software newly invented that works with Blackberries and java enabled phones called REVODA . "It is a mobile app that allows voters to report election activities as independent election observers from their respective polling units across Nigeria. ReVoDa also allows EiE Nigeria Network to send relevant information about the electoral process to registered users in specific locations.
The app also provides a complete list of political parties and their acronyms. You can use this list for reference on party acronyms when inputing party results in the reporting section."
The likelihood of Government sabotaging means of Communication during the Elections is being analyzed.
Mr Osita Nwoye explained that, if the government decided to sabotage means of communication, they will be at the receiving end of the action as well, because they will not be able to reach out to people on these platforms too.
In conclusion social media can be used to pass positive or negative information. In view of this it is therefore advised that, masses should know the authenticity of information passed on the internet and all media related devices.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
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