THE IMPACT OF BIOMETRIC CARD READER ON THE OUTCOME OF 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA BY EKEMBA CHIBUZOR PG/M.SC/16/81563 A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE (M.Sc.) IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (ELECTORAL STUDIES) SUPERVISOR PROF A.M.N. OKOLIE SEPTEMBER, 2018. i TITLE PAGE THE IMPACT OF BIOMETRIC CARD READER ON THE OUTCOME OF 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA i CERTIFICATION We, the undersigned,hereby certify and approve this study as adequate in scope and quality, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Master of Science degree (M.sc.) in Political Science (Electoral Studies). By ___________________ ____________________ Prof. A.M.N Okolie Dr. Ifeanyi .M.Abada Project Supervisor Head of Department Date: 3/9/2018 Date: 3/9/2018 ___________________ ____________________ Prof. Leonard .I. Ugwu External Examiner Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Date: _______________ Date: 3/9/2018 ii DEDICATION This study is dedicated to God Almighty for His Infinite Mercies in my life without him am nothing and can do nothing, and also to my Parents Chief and Mrs. Mba Eke Mba for their relentless assistance toward accomplishingthe study. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS For the successful completion of this study, I am eternally indebted to a number of people whose inputs and support were indispensable to me. First among these is my Supervisor, Prof. Aloysius MichaelsOkolie whose encouragement, incisive comments and fatherly guidance helped to clarify doubts and sharpen my focus. Others are the distinguished academics in the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka whose tutelage greatly broadened my intellectual horizon. They include: Prof. Aloysius MichaelsOkolie, Prof. Emmanuel Ezeani, Prof. JonahOnuoha, Dr. H.N Agbo, Dr. E.J. Nwagu, Dr. V.C Onah, Dr. J.G Ezirim, Dr. H.C.Edeh, Dr. Ifeanyi.M. Abada, not forgetting ChikodiriNwangwu whose inputs guided my research work others includeDrs R.C. Adibe, K. Obi, K.O. Nwachukwu, Mssrs P.C. Chukwu, S.N. Asogwa, DrNnamdiEgonu, Dr.Okorie Albert, Mr Paul Onu, Dr (Mrs) A.O. Ononogbu, Mrs J.O.R. Uju, Mssrs. Peter Atime, AkpanItoro, UcheOranye, Uche Godfrey, Dr, NdubuisiIsaac and Christopher Obianagwa. Indeed your advice contributed immensely in seeing me through all these hard hurdles. Finally, I will like to thank the following persons whose advice and financial support went a long way in seeing me through the programme: chief & Mrs.Mba Eke Mba, Pharm. AjuluMba, EngrkanayoMba, EkembaChikwado, EkembaChikamso, EkembaChinonye, EkembaChieloka, MbaUgochukwu,AjuluMba Junior and C. Ezeora.I appreciate all my course mates especially Nnaji Vincent, UdayaChinonso and my lodge matesC.MNwosu, EzinneAgwufor their contributions toward accomplishing the study. EkembaChibuzor Department of Political Science UNN August, 2018 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------i Certification--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ii Dedication ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii Acknowledgements-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------iv Table of Contents-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------v-vii List of Tables ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------viii-ix Abbreviations ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x-xiv Abstract ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background of the Study--------------------------------------------------------------------1-5 1.2. Statement of the Problem--------------------------------------------------------------------5-8 1.3. Objectives of the Study---------------------------------------------------------------------8 1.4. Significance of the Study --------------------------------------------------------------------8-9 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2:1 Biometric card reader and the electoral process----------------------------------------11-24 2:2 The biometric card reader and electoral outcome ---------------------------------------24-33 CHAPTER THREE:RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1. Methodology-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------34 3.2. Theoretical Framework-----------------------------------------------------------------------34 3.3. Application of theory -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35-39 3.4. Hypotheses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------39 3.5. Research Design---------------------------------------------------------------------------39-42 3.6. Methods of Data Collection ------------------------------------------------------------------42 v 3.7. Methods of Data Analysis-------------------------------------------------------------------42 3.7. Logical Data Framework--------------------------------------------------------------43-48 CHAPTER FOUR: INTRODUCTION OF BIOMETRICS IN ELECTION 4:1.How biometric technologies work -------------------------------------------------------49-55 4.2. Introduction of biometric card reader in election--------------------------------------56-57 4.3. Biometric Voting Machines and the acceptance by Stakeholders-------------------57-63 4.4. Global use of biometrics in elections---------------------------------------------------63-64 4:5. Uses of Biometrics in African-----------------------------------------------------------64-67 4:6. Key steps in introducing biometric card reader---------------------------------------67-73 CHAPTER FIVE: BIOMETRIC CARD READER IN NIGERIAN ELECTIONS 5:1 Card Reading Machine and 2015 General Elections ------------------------------- 74-77 5:2The impact of Biometric Card Reader on The Outcome Of 2015 General Elections in Nigeria--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 77-82 5:3Technologies and the Credibility of 2015 General Elections in Nigeria ----------83-87 5:4Direct Data Capturing Machine in Nigeria Election -------------------------------- 87-91 5:5The Way Forward For Biometric Card Reader in Future Election---------------- 91-93 5:6The strength and challenges of introducing technology ---------------------------- 93-94 CHAPTER SIX BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION AND ELECTORAL OUTCOME 6:1 INEC Introduction of Technologies in Nigeria Election from 2011-2015 -------95-99 6:2Voter Authentication as a tool for Election Credibility----------------------------99-101 6:3 Biometric Authentications as a tool for Election Credibility------------------------101 6:2:1 Theuse of biometric voter registration (BVR) in the 2015 elections ----------101-103 6:2:2Biometric authentication methods and how they work ---------------------------103-104 6:3Immediate and remote causes of Jonathan’s defeat in 2015 general election -104-111 6:4Biometric Capturing and Reduction in Electoral Malpractices and violence-111-122 vi 6:5APC’s Victory: The Challenges Ahead --------------------------------------------122-123 6:62015 Presidential Election Outcome ------------------------------------------------123-125 CHAPTER SEVEN:SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 7.1. Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------126-127 7.2. Conclusion -----------------------------------------------------------------------------127-128 7.3. Recommendations --------------------------------------------------------------------128-129 Bibliography ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------130-140 Reference ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii LIST OF TABLES Diagram1: Features of smart card reader ------------------------------------------------------------49 Figure1: Use of biometric data at polling stations --------------------------------------------------50 Figure2: Biometrics Process ---------------------------------------------------------------------------50 Figure3: Biometric based system ---------------------------------------------------------------------51 Figure4: Electorates, Observes and Officials -------------------------------------------------------51 Figure5: Verification of Voters -----------------------------------------------------------------------52 Figure6: Rejection of Voters Repetition -------------------------------------------------------------52 Diagram2: Permant Voters Card and Smart Card Reader -----------------------------------------56 Figure7: Voter turnout from the 36 States of the federation during the 2015 presidential and NASS elections ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------60 Table1: 2015 Presidential and National Assembly election ---------------------------------------64 Diagram3: Types of biometric ------------------------------------------------------------------------70 Diagram4: Retina Scanning ---------------------------------------------------------------------------70 Diagram5: Iris -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------73 Diagram6: Finger tip -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------71