Light shines on unconditional electronic transmission of election result

For the second time in one week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that it has the capacity to transmit unhindered, election results from far-flung parts of the country, again contradicting claims by both the National Communications Commission (NCC), and the National Assembly.

While the latest claim is putting more wind in INEC’s sail, civil society organisations (CSOs), statesmen, politicians, and lovers of credible elections are besieging the NASS to revisit the issue and approve the unconditional electronic transmission of election results.

Displeased by what is going on regarding the recently passed Electoral Amendment Bill, the senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, warned against the usurpation of INEC powers or interfering with its independence, operational or discretionary powers.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, on Saturday faulted those opposed to electronic voting (e-voting) and electronic transmission of election results, noting that it is the way to go in achieving sanity in the country’s electoral system.

While both assured Nigerians that the end has not yet been heard on the issue of electronic transmission of election results by INEC, Dickson specifically said that Nigerians should not despair as “there is still room for further legislative work,” adding that “Nigerians should not lose hope.”