N-Alert and Its Impact on 2023 Poll

Alex Ahamudein writes about the use of N-Alert by voters to uncover electioral malpractises during the last general elections held across the country.

In the run-up to the just concluded general elections, the Federal Government launched a new mobile application to help monitor and report criminal activities such as election fraud, vandalism and fire outbreaks.

N-Alert, was recently hailed by Nigerians for its effectiveness in election monitoring and the prevention of criminal activities such as vandalism and fire outbreaks.

During the recent polls in the country, the N-Alert app was used by thousands of citizens to report any suspicious activities or incidents that could have compromised the integrity of the elections.

The app allowed users to send real-time reports of any irregularities to the relevant authorities, which helped to ensure that the elections were conducted fairly and transparently.

In addition to its role in election monitoring, the N-Alert app has also been instrumental in curbing criminal activities such as vandalism of public infrastructures sexual and gender-based violence, prison escapes as well as serve as the Ministry of Interior Agency’s Public Compliant platform.

It can also be used to verify fake news, report road crimes such as Police brutality on citizens, and share intelligent reports with security agencies.

The app allows users to report any incidents of vandalism, floods or fire outbreaks in their local areas, which helps law enforcement, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and fire services to respond quickly and prevent further damage.

Since its launch, the N-Alert app has been widely adopted by citizens across the country. It has been praised for its ease of use and the speed at which reports can be sent to the relevant authorities.

The app has also helped to improve communication between citizens and the government, which has been critical in addressing some of the security challenges facing the country.

N-Alert gained significant popularity among the public, with thousands of downloads reported in just a few days following the federal government’s announcement to deploy it to monitor the recently concluded general elections and the results have been very encouraging. Users have reported a high level of satisfaction with the app, noting its ease of use and effectiveness in reporting incidents.

Developed by a group of young tech enthusiasts from the Federal Ministry of Interior, N-Alert has already gained significant popularity among the public, with thousands of downloads reported in just a few days of the announcement.

N-Alert was also used to monitor the conduct of election officials and political parties during the election period. Users reported many instances of malpractice or irregularities using the app, ensuring transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

Users uploaded pictures and videos of any suspicious activities or incidents, and the data was sent directly to the security agancies control centre. This allowed the authorities to respond quickly and efficiently to any issues that may arise and to ensure the integrity of the election.

In addition to election monitoring, the N-Alert app can also be used to curb other criminal activities such as vandalism and fire outbreaks. Users will be able to report any incidents of vandalism or fire outbreaks, and the data will be shared with the relevant authorities, including the police and fire department.

During the recent general elections held in states across Nigeria, the N-Alert app was used to monitor the elections and prevent any form of electoral malpractices.

With the app, voters were able to report any form of irregularities, such as ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, and other electoral malpractices, which helped to ensure free and fair elections.

According to the developers, N-Alert is a simple and user-friendly app that can be used by anyone with a smartphone. The app uses GPS technology to track the user’s location, enabling the authorities to respond quickly and efficiently to the reported incidents.

Once an incident is reported, the app uses real-time GPS technology to pinpoint the location of the user and send the report to the nearest emergency response unit.

One of the key features of the app is its ability to provide users with real-time updates on the status of their report. Users are able to track the progress of their report and receive notifications once the issue has been resolved. This feature has been particularly helpful in situations where response time is critical, such as during a fire outbreak.

Commenting on the app, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Interior, Shuaibu Belgore, said the N-Alert app enabled thousands of citizens to report incidents or irregularities during the election process in real-time.

According to him: “This app is a game-changer in election monitoring and in curbing criminal activities. We encourage all citizens to download the app and to use it to report any incidents that they may observe during the election process.

“Citizens were able to report incidents of vote-buying, ballot snatching, and other irregularities in real-time, which allowed security agencies to respond promptly and mitigate the situation.

“With this app, we can ensure that the elections are free, fair and transparent, and that the safety and security of citizens are protected.

“The N-Alert app is available for download on both Android and iOS devices and is free to use. It is hoped that the app will help to promote greater transparency and accountability in the election process and that it will contribute to the overall safety and security of the country.

“The N-Alert app has proven to be an effective tool in promoting accountability and transparency in our electoral process. We urge citizens to continue to use the app to report any incidents of violence, malpractice, and other criminal activities that threaten our democracy”.

Belgore encouraged citizens to report incidents of vandalism and fire outbreaks promptly, which enables the authorities to respond quickly and prevent further damage.

On his part, an Abuja resident, Ahmed Yusuf, said the app has made it easier for him to report incidents to the authorities.

His words: “Before, it was difficult to know who to call or where to go when an emergency happens. But with N-Alert, I can quickly report an incident and be assured that it will be attended to promptly.”

Consequently, the N-Alert app has received positive feedback from users, with many commending its effectiveness in reporting incidents and aiding the authorities in responding promptly. With the app, citizens are taking proactive steps towards ensuring their safety and the safety of their community.

The app has also been praised by government officials for its effectiveness in combating crime and improving emergency response times.

While being described as a timely intervention in the fight against crime and other emergencies in the country, the success of the app has inspired other Nigerian tech entrepreneurs to develop similar apps to address other societal issues.

-Ahamudein writes from Lagos