Electronic Transmission Of Election Results Necessary For Credible Result – Group
The Centre for Democracy and Development has said that election results should be transmitted electronically to pave way for credible elections.
The head of programmes of Centre for Democracy and Development, Dr Timipre Allison, said in radio interview that electronic transmission of results would check those who would try to cheat electoral process.
He said that the country was far from having a reliable electoral system and said to have credible elections results should be transmitted electronically.
Dr Allison said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be empowered to make its own laws guiding the conduct of elections in the country.
The Senate last week passed the Electoral Amendment Bill amidst uproar.
The upper Chamber gave condition to INEC on electronic transmission of results saying it should get clearance from Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for electronic transmission of results and should be approved by National Assembly.
The head of programmes of the group said the amended electoral bill when signed into law would be an improvement on 2010 electoral act.
He said no effort should be made to undermine the country’s electoral process adding that the powers of INEC should not be whittled down.
He also said he disagreed with those who say that Nigeria was not mature to use electronic voting and transmission of results.
He said the electronic transmission of results would make it difficult for those who would want to cheat the electoral system.
He however said the country should invest on security infrastructure to guard against those who would want to compromise the country’s electoral process in their desperate bid to win.
He also said INEC should be innovative and improve on conduct of elections.
He said technology should provide solution to any issues arising from electronic transmission of results.
He spoke while featuring as a guest on Nigeria Info 92.3.
He commended the inclusion of financial autonomy for INEC in the current amended bill saying that no efforts should be made to whittle down INEC powers.
Dr Allison said that the electoral body should be independent to conduct credible elections.
The senate had passed the amended electoral bill after considering the report by the Committee on INEC as senators had voted in favour and against electronic transmission of results.
