By Phenomenal A.
In a major shift from tradition, the Communication Students' Association (COSA) of Lagos State University has adopted an online voting system for the first time in its history.
The move, led by the 20th COSA Independent Electoral Committee (IEC), aims to address electoral malpractices and promote transparency, efficiency, and innovation.
In an exclusive interview with ACJ-LASU, IEC Chairman Olorunshola Boluwatife Samuel, popularly known as The General, said the decision to go digital was driven by the growing number of students in the faculty and the need to upgrade the election process.
He said, “We are adopting online voting for many reasons. The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies is not like before. We have grown, and counting paper ballots becomes stressful as numbers grow. Additionally, we also wanted to embrace innovation. LASUSU is already using e-voting at the general level, so it’s only right that COSA also evolves,” he said.
The General also added that alleged past electoral irregularities, such as vote rigging and non-members participating in COSA elections, also influenced the decision.
When asked how the new voting system will ensure transparency and fairness, the IEC Chairman noted that a simplified voting process has been introduced, using Google Forms, which the students are accustomed to.
He stated that the interface is familiar to most students, and a step-by-step guide has been produced to walk voters through the process. Voters will be required to fill in their verified details and choose their preferred candidates.
The chairman said, “This will be a free and fair election. The system is designed in a way that canvassers, agents and everyone can see as votes are coming in. We are also making sure that none of the IEC members have access to the token generated for voters. There’s no complication in the process; it’s easy and clear. We urge every COSA student to come out and vote with confidence.”
Providing more technical insight, the COSA Independent Electoral Commission’s IT Consultant, Awotesu Oluwaseyi Aduwagbemi, explained that the voting system uses Google Forms on the front end, while strict control is maintained on the back end to ensure vote integrity.
He said; “Every student will be issued a unique access code after physical identity verification by IEC officials. That code is the only way their vote will be valid,” he said.
He further explained that on voting day, students will collect their access codes in person, scan a QR code to open the voting portal, and vote on-site to reduce external influence. After voting, they are expected to discard the code.
To prevent manipulation, the system immediately flags and declines any reused or invalid code. The process will be monitored live and projected publicly for transparency.
“The goal is to build trust and assure students that this election is secure and credible,” the consultant concluded.
As COSA prepares for election day, the IEC has assured students of a smooth process and encouraged maximum participation in what it calls a new era of credible campus democracy.”
0 Comments
What Do You say