Election Results: Group tasks NASS on passage of new Electoral Act
The Center For Liberty has called on the National Assembly to pass the new Electoral Act that guarantees electronic transmission of election results to demonstrate its genuine commitment to electoral reforms.
The group in a statement by its Co-Convener, Mr Ariyo-Dare Atoye, in Abuja on Sunday, said that the passage of such a bill would restore people’s confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
He said that the passage would also help to douse tension in different parts of the country.
“The National Assembly must demonstrate that it is genuinely committed to the peace and stability of Nigeria by enabling a path to hope with the passage of a new electoral act that guarantees the electronic transmission of results and transparency,” Atoye said.
He said that the National Assembly must urgently consider giving the country some legislations, such as the Electoral Act 2021, to restore the people’s confidence in this democracy, especially when agitation in various shades was rising in the country.
He added that the National Assembly must do more with the passage of the Electoral Bill to assure Nigerians its commitment to a credible transition of power in response to the rumour gradually making the rounds about “third term.”
While the nation’s mood is tensed and palpable, the leadership of the National Assembly must be sensitive and come to an essential understanding that giving the people a sense of hope for free, fair and credible elections will help strengthen the position of those working for a united Nigeria.
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Atoye urged the leadership of the National Assembly to urgently remove any hindrance in the passage of the bill by immediately sending it for third reading for immediate passage by the lawmakers.
“Every day that passes without the passage of the Electoral Act diminishes the National Assembly as inadvertently strengthening the bid of secession agitators, creating distrust in the system and making it difficult for many Nigerians to believe in the country.
“It is equally important to tell the 9th National Assembly that Nigerians will not accept a new Electoral Act that will not expressly provide for the electronic transmission of results.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured the people of its readiness to do e-transmission and has demonstrated the same in the last three off-cycle elections.
“We, therefore, urge the President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to remove the hurdles and immediately cause the transmission of the final document on the Electoral Bill to the plenary for the third reading and passage of the bill,” he said.
Zainab Sa’id
