July 05, (THEWILL) – As the Senate prepares to pass the Electoral Act amendment Bill on Tuesday, the sudden emergence of a strange Section 50(2), which completely outlaws transmission of votes by electronic means, is generating tension among political parties and civil society organisations.
The provision that critics described as strange simply reads: “Voting at an election under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedures determined by the commission, which may include electronic voting provided that the Commission shall not transmit results of the election by electronic means.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had adopted the electronic transmission of results in some previous elections to the admiration of many stakeholders, particularly in the September 2020 Edo State governorship polls.
Leading voices against the move by the lawmakers, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a coalition of civil society organisations have cautioned against the planned passage of the New Electoral Amendment Bill without electronic transmission of election results.
In an open letter to Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Chairman of ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, said: “This is truly shocking and absurd. This time when lawmakers are supposed to be deep in thoughts in creating laws to make Nigeria emerge as a strong democracy after 22 years of democratic government, it is incomprehensible why the National Assembly should be building booby traps and creating windows that serve parochial ends.”
According to the ADC, Nigeria with a population of over 200 million, should be relevant globally and to its people.
It said not adopting methods and attitudes that enhance best practises in law and policy formulation demeaned Nigeria’s parliamentarians and the National Assembly as an institution, and reduced and limited Nigerians as a people.
The party added: “It is of utmost importance that we begin to build integrity into our processes; things to bring value and credibility to our processes and help our democratic journey, development and maturity. We cannot continue living in falsehood and corruption. The beauty of democracy is people ownership, an endearing franchise that must be guided.”
On its part, a coalition of 22 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has also condemned the planned passage of the Electoral Act without electronic transmission of election results.
The CSOs in a statement said the manipulation of Section 50(2) undermined the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC)’s efforts to improve the election results management regime.
The coalition also expressed concern over the increase in spending limits for presidential candidates and others, saying it is an indication that the National Assembly is committed to entrenching a political system that is heavily monetised.
They called on the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, and House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to speak up clearly that they are not aware of these amendments and are not part of any attempt to subvert the voices of Nigerians.
The CSOs urged Nigerians to stand up to resist the attempt by the National Assembly to manipulate the Electoral Act for self-perpetuation and self-interest, adding that they will continue to make the contact information of lawmakers available so that Nigerians can engage their representatives directly.
The statement said: “Everyone may be aware that the National Assembly will pass the Electoral Amendment Bill (2021) this week. Barring any last-minute changes, the Bill is expected to be passed by both chambers on Thursday. Some proposals canvassed by citizens were adopted in the Bill e.g. electronic voting, financial independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and new timelines for submission of list of candidates.
“However, there are discrepancies between the approved version of the Bill and the alleged final copy, where some key provisions have been manipulated.
“In the alleged final copy, some key priority amendments were rejected by the leadership of the National Assembly, e.g. electronic transmission of results has been prohibited (S.50(2)) and the limits on campaign expenses have been increased (S.88).
“Following, the events of the 2019 general elections, we are convinced that INEC needs to have this power in order to prevent politicians from going through the backdoor to win the election and steal electoral mandate at gunpoint!”
The CSOs include: Centres for Liberty, Electoral Hub, Yiaga Africa, Raising New Voices, Ready to Lead Africa, MACAA, Speak Out Africa Initiative, Centre for Development Alternatives Research and Studies, Aspilos Foundation, Free Nigeria Coalition, Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative, Concerned Nigerians, SING Nigeria, Enough is Enough, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Community Life Project (CLP), FAME Foundation, Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), UTO Foundation, Ebere Ifendu, Vision Spring Initiatives, South-South Professional Women Association (SSPWA), Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome, Media Concern Initiative (MediaCon) for Women and Children
Others are: Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Women Foundation of Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, NILOMV Iyom Josphine Anenih, Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF), Daria Media Foundation, TechHerNG, Learning Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI), Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development, Education as Vaccine, Young Women in Politics Forum, Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights, Move on Nigeria, Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation and Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD).
