POLITICS
Election Act Amendment: Not yet Uhuru for the Electoral System
By Jude Opara
On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate passed the much talked about Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The Bill among others is expected to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the much anticipated legal backing to transmit election results electronically.
In Nigeria elections have continued to be contentious with claims and counter claims by politicians of rigging and other forms of manipulations occasioned by the method of conducting the all important exercise.
So the average Nigerian who bears the brunt of the misrule that comes from electoral fraud has sincerely wished and hoped that the National Assembly will eventual pass the Bill to further boost the activities of INEC.It is instructive to note that this very Bill has suffered series of hiccups mainly because successive administrations have continued to play politics with its passage. For instance in the 8th Assembly, after rejecting the Bill for several occasions with flimsy excuses of misspellings and wrong punctuations, President Muhammadu Buhari again declined accent claiming it Bill which came to him about three months to the 2019 general elections was ‘too close’ to the elections.
However, the body language of the 9th Senate concerning the passage of the Bill did not give much hope because contrary to expectations of Nigerians, the lawmakers never took the issue as a priority until many stakeholders and analysts began to question the rationale behind the delay in kick-starting the process.
The Red Chambers mandated Senate Committee on INEC led by Kabiru Gaya to steer its position on the subject matter. The Committee held public hearings on the issue where Nigerians from all walks of life gathered and registered their position. And it is on record that a preponderance of opinion was in favour of the electronic transmission of election results.
But before submitting the Committee Report to the Senate last week, there was a hint that the document had been tampered with as some of vital components of the Bill including the electronic transmission of results were conspicuously missing.
In fact, the reaction of Senate President Ahmed Lawan, while receiving the Bill from the Committee Chairman betrayed an already concluded position to ambush the Nigerian people when he termed the seeming genuine concerns as; “calculated blackmail against the leadership of the National Assembly by mischief makers”.
It is of great concern how legislators of the ruling- All Progressives Congress (APC) were united in shutting down the piece of legislation that could have given INEC the leverage to conduct election in such way that the elements of manipulation would be eliminated to a great essence.
Probably, in order to hoodwink the Nigerian people, the Senate passed the bill but with a caveat that INEC must have to transmit election results electronically only when the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had satisfied there is enough network coverage.
This development has apparently whittled down the role of INEC as the sole agency responsible for the organization and conduct of election in the country. Already the NCC may have keyed into the gimmick by suddenly declaring that total network coverage in Nigeria is below 50%.
The Senate also ruled that before INEC and the NCC could sanction the electronic transmission of result, they would be notified to ascertain whether such will happen or not.
With the National Assembly limiting the ability of INEC solely control the conduct of elections, there are grave concerns that the 2023 general elections will be in jeopardy because the era of vote padding and other manipulations that usually go on at the collation centres will continue unabated.
Yes in 2023, votes would be counted and declared openly in polling units in front of voters, who would go home believing they have freely chosen their leaders but later before or at collation centres, the numbers would be changed. This necessitated the quest of sending the results directly to INEC headquarters and to the public from the polling units arose.
During the last Edo State governorship election, INEC introduced a result’s viewing portal, which made it possible for everybody to see the results real time as they were announced and this was a bad message for riggers and manipulators. This also increased the integrity of the electoral process and was expected to replicate at the forthcoming Anambra state governorship election on November 6.
According to sources, the contentious Section 50 (2) of the Electoral Act was rephrased, after the Committee had concluded its work as follows; “Voting at an election under the bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the commission, which may include electronic voting, provided that the Commission shall not transmit results of elections by electronic means.”
So, if an election was generally accepted to be free, one wonders why legislators of the ruling-APC were at the vanguard of killing that noble initiative?
Other contentious issues with the Bill are the significant increases on the limits on campaign expenses (S.88). Campaign expenses for the presidential election have been increased from N1 billion to N5 billion; the governorship election, from N200 million to N1 billion and so forth.
For senatorial candidates, they can now legally raise N100 million from the previous N40 million, while candidates to the House of Representative can now accept N70 million from the current N30 million. And for State Assembly, candidates are now free to secure N30 million from the previous N10 million.
These provisions which are anti-people given the fact that these politicians especially those that are currently in power will now begin to amass wealth for the purpose of contesting the future elections. Certainly, there is no denying the fact some of these funds could have been used to provide public infrastructure.
However, one other area of contention of the whole saga is the fact that despite the position of the lawmakers that INEC is not capable of transmitting election results electronically; INEC has come out to declare that it is capable of doing so.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education (IVEC), Barr Festus Okoye said the Commission has the capacity to transmit election results electronically from every remote area in the country.
“We have uploaded election results from very remote areas in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, even from areas where you have to use human carriers to access.
“So, we (INEC) have made our own position very clear, that we have the capacity and we have the will to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process.
“But our powers are given by the Constitution and the Law, and we will continue to remain within the ambit and confines of the power granted to the Commission by the Constitution and the law”, Okoye stated.
In the last elections in Edo and Ondo states, INEC transmitted results electronically using the Z-pad device and many people attested to the fact that those elections were relatively devoid of manipulations and outright rigging, so this further underlines the acceptance of INEC that it can undertake electronic transmission of results.
Many analysts believe that most of the politicians currently kicking against the real time transmission of results are afraid of winning elections in a free and fair contest and may have planned to apply self-help by rigging.
It is even more disturbing that some of the lawmakers from Edo and Ondo also voted against the electronic transmission of results despite the attested successes it recorded in their states in the last governorship elections.
But the greatest irony is that while INEC has consistently shown and even confessed capacity to conduct free, fair and fair elections, the same politicians who are busy plotting how to manipulate the system will tomorrow have the effrontery to turn around to blame the Commission when elections are adjudged to have been below acceptable standards.
Finally, INEC should go ahead and exercise their discretion and conduct the 2023 elections and indeed the forthcoming Anambra state governorship election in such a way that they deem fit and capable of posting the same success result that was recorded in both Edo and Ondo States.
The seeming attempt by the national Assembly to get involved in the conduct of elections is a self help that will not fly because the Section 78 of the Constitution provides that; ‘‘the Registration of voters and the conduct of elections shall be subject to the direction and supervision of Independent National Electoral Commission.”
In the Third Schedule, Part 1,F, S.15, the Constitution has it that INEC has power to organize, undertake and supervise all elections.
The Constitution further provides that INEC operations shall not be subject to the direction of anybody or authority, the amendment cannot be superior to the Constitution.
Alhaji Mohammed Baba-Okanla, Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), says more than 21,000 persons applied for ad hoc jobs in Saturday’s local government elections in the state.
Baba-Okanla made this disclosure on Wednesday
in Ilorin while speaking during the 42nd edition of the Media Parliament Conversation by the Kwara Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He also disclosed that only five political parties were registered and would field candidates in the elections.
The Commission Chairman listed the parties as the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Accord Party (AP).
“The number of job applicants reflected the socio-political situation in the country, even though only about 7,000 of the applicants were eventually considered.”
He however expressed the commission’s readiness to conduct hitch-free local government elections across the 2,887 poling units in the state.
“I am pleased to announce that the commission has carefully crafted a comprehensive time-table for Saturday’s local government elections to ensure that all stakeholders are adequately prepared for the electoral process.
“Polling units will open by 8 s.m. and voting will be concluded by 3 p.m., after which sorting, counting and collation of results will begin immediately,” Baba-Okanla said.
He added that results would be collated at the designated collation centres and announced after counting was concluded.
The KWASIEC Chairman said his Commission was fully prepared for the council polls, adding that they would work diligently to ensure that every aspect of the electoral process was well organised.
“From the training of electoral staff to the distribution of election materials, every measure is being put in place to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly, transparently and in accordance with the laws.”
He disclosed that his Commission had been collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the success of the council polls.
“The issue of the voter register is one that we have taken very seriously.
“A credible voter register is the foundation of any free and fair election, as it ensures that only eligible citizens participate in the electoral process,” Baba- Okanla said.
He disclosed that the Commission had organised training programmes for its staff and the ad hoc staff who would supervise the elections across the state’s 193 wards.
The KWASIEC Chairman added that the commission has also held consultations with the security agencies in the state to ensure maximum security of lives and property during the polls.
Earlier, the Chairman of Kwara Council of NUJ, AbdulLateef Ahmed, had expressed delight that the state thought it wise to put in place democratically-elected governments at the local government level.
Represented by the Council Vice-Chairman, Hajia Binta Mora, the Council chairman urged the electoral body to conduct free, fair and credible elections.(NAN)
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
As the tussle for the leadership position in Cross River State chapter of the labour party intensifies, the patriarch Ogar osim led executives insisted that there is no vacant position in the party’s leadership.
This assurance was given in a press statement by the State Chairman of the party, Ogar Osim and publicity secretary, Dr Ofem lekam Ujong.
“The Labour Party State Working Committee led by the duly elected State Chairman, Patriarch Ogar Osim is aware that some groups of persons led by John Ushie are parading themselves as the leadership of the Labour Party in Cross River State”.
They described the John Ushie led faction of the party as impersonators who are out to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
“Ordinarily, we would as usual ignore what we consider to be an anecdote meant to entertain the general public, but for the sake of our passionate and committed members who might become victims to these impostors”.
“We strongly call on members of the Press to properly investigate the activities and motive of these desperados whose main aim is to deceive gullible members of the party”
The statement recalled that during the general elections last year, the same group impersonated the leadership of LP in the state and conducted primaries that was not recognized by INEC
“They deceived the general public and even went ahead to produce Candidates through an illegal primary they conducted at their office. In the end, none of those produced through their primaries were recognized by INEC, they have risen again to deceive more innocent citizens”. The statement added.
“It is necessary to state clearly that there is no vacuum in Labour Party Cross River State as the current Chairman, Patriarch Ogar Osim and his team of Executives were duly elected at a Congress monitored and documented by INEC in March 2022 for a four-year tenure as enshrined in the party’s constitution”.
The statement added, in article 16 sub section 1 which says “All National and State Officers of the Party shall hold office for a period of 4 years per tenure and a maximum of 2 tenures per member for the respective offices.”
The statement further stated that INEC has disassociated itself from the false claim and has also rejected the outcome of the illegal Stakeholders meeting and the National Caretaker Committee appointed in Umuahia. It’s also maintained that the tenure of National and States Officers have not expired as claimed by oshie led faction
It also maintained that the authentic National Executive of LP led by Julius Abure has also publicly disassociated itself from the illegal Stakeholders because it contradicts article 15 sub section 4 of the party’s constitution which states that the National Secretary shall have cause to issue notices of meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Council, the National working Committee in consultation with and approval of the National Chairman.
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
Former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar, has urged the people of Edo State to vote the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo in the Saturday’s Governorship Election in the state.
Atiku, who made the appeal on his X handle yesterday, said that Ighodalo “shines as a beacon of integrity and vision”, adding that the PDP “candidacy offers a path to redemption for Edo State”
He said, “Where the APC has faltered, Ighodalo stands firm, ready to serve with competence and a genuine commitment to the people’s welfare.
“People of Edo State, the time has come to use the power vested in you.
As you go to the polls, ask yourself: Has the APC made your life better, or have they only deepened your struggles? The answer is clear. Your vote for Ighodalo will not only bring change to Edo State but will also send a resounding message across Nigeria that we reject the deceit and self-serving ways of the APC.”The PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 general election said that for nearly a decade, the APC had betrayed the people, saying that they (APC) criticized past leaders for raising fuel prices, yet they preside over an era where fuel costs above N900 per litre.
He said that the cruelty and disregard for the plight of the masses are unmatched as a vote for the APC is a vote for the continuation of misery, hunger, and despair.
Atiku advised the people of Edo State not to be swayed by the empty promises of the APC, pointing out that electing Ighodalo of the PDP “is not just a vote; it is an act of reclaiming our future. It is a choice to consolidate the good work of Governor Godwin Obaseki and to build a future of prosperity, dignity, and hope”.
He said, “Let us march to the polls this Saturday, united in our resolve to bring about the change we so desperately need. Let us cast our votes for Asue Ighodalo and usher in a new dawn for Edo State. The power is yours. Use it wisely.”
According to Atiku, the APC has donned the mask of a friend to the masses, but behind this veil lies a sinister reality. They have lured gullible voters with sweet promises, only to reveal their true nature – a party driven by a hunger for power rather than the well-being of the people. They have forsaken the ideals of governance, ignoring the cries of the common man while pursuing their own selfish ambitions.
“Under their watch, Nigeria has been plunged into an abyss of suffering. They have sown seeds of poverty, despair, and insecurity. The once vibrant spirit of our nation has been dimmed by a relentless struggle for survival, where even the simplest of needs, like food, have become out of reach for millions. In this grim reality, our people are not dying of disease but of hunger. We stand at the lowest point in our nation’s governance.
“The APC has not served the people; they have served themselves. And when the people, rightfully aggrieved, have raised their voices in protest, they have been silenced, dragged to courts under charges of treason. Meanwhile, the APC’s leaders bask in luxury, indifferent to the hardship that grips the nation.”
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to UNGA
SharePresident Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has...
NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
ShareThe National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent...
NDDC Unveils Initiative to Enhance food Security in N’ Delta Programmes
Share The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security...
Kwara Govt. Seals off 14 Buildings over Concerns about Environment
Share The Kwara Government has in the past few days sealed off 14 buildings due to environmental concerns, the state’s...
Microsoft Boss Warns of Meddling Ahead of U.S. Presidential Election
Share Brad Smith, the president of technology giant Microsoft has issued a stark warning regarding foreign attempts to influence the U.S....
New Dangote Varsity Pro-chancellor Promises to Turn Challenges into Opportunities
Share The newly-appointed Pro-chancellor of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Justice Abdu Aboki, has promised to turn...
KWASIEC says 21,000 Applied for 7,000 ad Hoc job During Saturday’s LG Elections
Share Alhaji Mohammed Baba-Okanla, Chairman of the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), says more than 21,000 persons applied for...
FCT Civil Service Commission Begins Regularisation of FCTA Staff Appointments
Share The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission has begun the regularisation of staff appointments in the FCT Administration and...
FCT primary Teachers Resume Strike over Unresolved Welfare Concerns
Share The Federal Capital Territory Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) on Wednesday, resumed industrial action over unresolved...
Nigeria to Lead $7.7trn Global Halal Market – Shettima
ShareVice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed the determination of the country to become number one hub of opportunities in the global...