'Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM Press)'
Abstract
Periodic elections are characteristics of contemporary democracy, because they serve as means of
changing non performing representatives of the people. In Nigeria, it is difficult to ascertain
whether elections have over the years served the above mentioned purpose. Elections in Nigeria
have been characterized by irregularities, consequently the introduction of the Smart Card Reader
to correct the abnormalities. This paper examined the effectiveness of the use of Smart Card Reader
in search for electoral transparency in Nigeria, as experimented during the 2015 general elections.
It relied heavily on secondly data. Using the system theory as espoused by David Easton as it
theoretical foundation, the paper disclosed that, the use of smart card reader in the Nigeria’s 2015
general elections to a large extent reduced the level of electoral scam that is widely known to have
characterized the Nigerian electoral system. The paper also reveals that despite the success
recorded by the use of the smart card reader, there were some challenges recorded and also
controversy surrounding the legality of the use of smart card reader. Based on the challenges
encountered by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the use of the smart card
reader, the paper recommends adequate education as the panacea for the effective use of the smart
card reader in Nigeria’s subsequent elections
