EditorTHE Transmission Monitoring Group (TMG) has called for electronic voting and electronic transmission of election results in the country.
Members of the group expressed different views on the country’s electoral system during a virtual meeting themed, “The Future of Elections in Nigeria”.
The Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, urged Nigerians to take note of how the elections are conducted.
“We can’t surrender the election to machines. Democracy is about the people and not machines. Citizens must be given the power. We need to rethink elections and democracy. It’s critical to know that democracy is not just about election; we must think on how we can implement democracy without elections that are not delivering,” he said.
According to Itodo, there is no form of power separation, adding that power has been concentrated on the elite over the last decade.
“These people have similar geographical and regional lining. People don’t go out to vote because democracy is not delivering. Investment in election must be considered because it does not encourage political participation,” Itodo added.
The outgoing chairman of TMG, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said her group had been advocating electronic voting and electronic transmission of elections results.
“We stand on the fact that we must advocate for electronic voting and electronic transmission of elections results. We will continue to advocate for election transparency and accountability,” Akiyode-Afolabi said.
The Chairman of Partners for Election Reforms, Mr l. Ezenwa Nwagu, said financial independence was a problem for INEC.
“There are procurements that need to happen, guaranteed before the election circle, but bureaucracy is hampering the independence of INEC. Politicians that don’t want reform are the same people Nigerians must run to for the process to be reformed. There should be clarity in election results transmission and we know that it is INEC’s duty to decide and not any other body,” Nwagwu said.
The representative of the CSO situation room, Ene Obi said Nigerians must hold the government accountable because people knew the election results of Late MKO Abiola before the process was completed.
He added that with electronic transmission of results, it will be transparent and many people will have confidence in the process.
“INEC needs to be empowered to conduct credible elections. The National Assembly should adhere to the yearnings of Nigerians,” she added.
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