Politics
Electronic Transmission Of Results, In Whose Interest?
“I am not in support of electronic transmission of results. We are not ready. It is best if we are equipped and ready to secure the website that nobody can hack. If we say for 2023, we are going to transmit results electronically, is it possible? Everybody knows that it is only the person with the highest number of votes that will get it. So, results should be announced at the polling units and collation centres, where applicable. Let us not start what we cannot do.”
That was the position
proudly made public by a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic representing Bauchi South Senatorial District of Bauchi State.
As the agency that bears much of the difficulties and collateral consequences associated with manual collation and transmission of votes at elections, over the years, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had expressed preference for the adoption of electronic results by electronic means. Against this backdrop, Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 to allow for electronic collation and transmission of results; arguing that the manual method enshrined in the laws is too cumbersome and expensive.
“We have to also address our electoral process which is manual. It is too expensive and cumbersome. The process of collating results is sometimes chaotic because the law says that you must write results manually and collate them manually right from the polling unit to the ward, from the ward to the local government, then, the state and from the state to the national level, in the case of the presidential election. “A lot has been achieved in other climes with the simple application of technology. So, the encumbrances to the deployment of technology in the transmission of election results should be removed as part of this process”, the INEC boss said as part of his submission to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
Last week, Nigerians’ expectation for the bill to be passed into law by the Senate was dashed as controversy arose amongst the lawmakers with the questionable appearance of a strange Section 50 (2) which completely outlaws transmission of votes by electronic means.
The contentious provision states that 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.”
Of course, the report of the Senate Committee on INEC, led by Sen. Kabiru Gaya, which prepared the bill did not make it to plenary until last Wednesday as some members of the committee threatened to raise objection on the floor of the senate unless the offensive section was expunged and the version to be laid before the senate faithfully corresponds with what they collectively signed up to.
The question Nigerians have since been asking is, who is afraid of electronic transmission of election results and why? With admirable results already recorded on the electronic transmission of election results by INEC in some previous elections including the September, 2020 Edo State governorship election, Nigerians are wondering why anyone would hinder the full scale and unfettered application of appropriate and requisite technology in our electoral system, especially seeing that the electoral body itself has not indicated lack of capacity, inability or unwillingness to undertake the process.
Yet the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, is reported to have said that electronic voting and transmission of election results will not work in the northern part of the country come 2023.
“As a member of the Senate, I am talking realistically, the issue of electronic voting is futuristic, but not realistic for us in the north, particularly. Can you do electronic voting or transmission of results without electricity? The answer is no; he said. According to Senator Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, the adoption of electronic voting and transmission of results will render the electoral process vulnerable adding that while he was determined to stand against the electronic means, himself and his people were comfortable with the writing of results in hard copies.
“What they are trying to do is to make the election vulnerable. Supposing somebody drops a virus in the process, supposing somebody desfroys the collation centre or attacks the server, what will happen?”, he reasoned, insisting that the envisaged benefits of reduced tension, killing and election rigging were untenable, people rig election only where they are already popular.
“Infact, electronic voting is more susceptible to manipulation… So, we don’t want to get involved in that, particularly we, the northern senators, because we are the ones that don’t have the facilities or the infrastructure that is required to conduct electronic voting … So you are saying that we should go through electronic voting for what? Let’s go out and vote the way we have been voting before”, Senator Ndume insisted.
Reacting to questions on the subject matter, erstwhile INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega said, “once there is a robust software and hardware for doing so, it now brings efficiency, transparency and real time ability to see the result as they are transmitted from the polling unit to a National Collation Centre”, however adding that “there are so many challenges in our country. For one to be able to do effective, thorough electronic voting, you need the infrastructure, software and associated support infrastructure. For example, stability of electricity, extensive network coverage and robust internet facilities,” and advised Nigerians to “make haste slowly”.
Yet, individuals and stakeholder groups like the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) have expressed the view that the process of collating results had been usually chaotic, vulnerable to manipulation, sometimes violently disrupted and needlessly shrouded, adding that it was to cure this that the electronic transmission of results got endorsement from a wide range of stakeholders, during the public hearings embarked upon by the National Assembly as part of the process to amend the Electoral Act.
“It will eliminate interference by security agents, politicians and even thugs in the collation process. There will not be reason to kidnap electoral officials and snatch ballot materials”, Director, CDD, Idayat Hassan, said, emphasising that, “In Nigerian elections, you can win during voting but lose during collation. Electronic transmission will take away the power of the Returning Officers to influence the election process”. According to Hassan, a paper format that will serve as a back up in the electronic transmission arrangement will take care of the probable incidences of a malfunction of criminal interference.
In his own reaction, Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice, Eze Onyekpere said those who were arguing against the inclusion of the provision of electronic transmission of results were those who haboured intentions to manipulate votes during elections.
“With election transmission, there will not be any case of results missing on the way or snatching of ballot boxes. Any politician that does not want that to happen is planning to rig election”, Auwal Rafsanjani said.
A report of the joint committee on INEC in the Senate and House of Representatives which was debated yesterday was verified to read” “Section 52 (1)” Voting at an election under this Bill shall be by open secret ballot.
“52 (2) voting at an election under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, which may include electronic voting.
“52 (3) The commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable”.
Whichever way the National Assembly chooses to swing, Nigerians just don’t want to continue with the system that threatens the lives, livelihoods, mandate and stability of the democratic system at every election season. This, they hope, will be achieved for me them through the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021.
By: Opaka Dokubo
Ahead of the 10th National Assembly June 13 inauguration date, kinsmen of Senator Godswill Akpabio, under the umbrella of Ntipe Ibibio Unity Mission, have warned against any attempt to pressure the All Progressives Congress (APC) to withdraw support for his ambition to become Senate President.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Amb. Okon Mkpafit emphasised that Akpabio is the most suitable candidate for the Senate President position among other contenders from Southern Nigeria and the South-South geopolitical zone.
Mkpafit further disclosed that Akpabio’s kinsmen have been actively working towards ensuring his emergence as the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly. They are now calling on the leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as other contenders, to throw their weight behind Akpabio.
He stated, “We, the kinsmen of Senator Godswill Akpabio under Ntipe Ibibio Unity Mission, unequivocally declare our unwavering support for APC’s zoning of the Senate President position to the South-South geopolitical zone, and we firmly stand behind Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President of the 5th Republic.”
Highlighting the significance of the South-South Senate Presidency, Mkpafit recalled that the last time the position was held by the South-South region was in 1979, during the Second Republic, with the emergence of the distinguished Senator Joseph Wayas.
“We urge all senators-elect to come together to ensure the realization of a South-South Senate Presidency and to support Senator Godswill Akpabio for the position of Senate President,” he added.
Mkpafit also said Akwa Ibom during Akpabio’s tenure witnessed substantial transformation and enduring legacy of infrastructural and human capacity development.
However, Mkpafit issued a warning against any attempt to pressure the party into rejecting Akpabio, stating that such actions would be counterproductive. He urged the party to uphold its choice.
“We have observed the mounting pressure on the APC leadership to exclude Senator Akpabio, and we caution that succumbing to this pressure would have a detrimental effect on the party. We strongly advise that the party’s decision be upheld”, he said.
Mkpafit also called on all Nigerians to unite with President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu in building a strong nation and reclaiming Nigeria’s esteemed position among the comity of nations.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed that some elements are planning to disrupt the handover ceremonies in some parts of the country.
According to the Service, these elements plan to undermine the efforts of the security agencies as well as cause panic among the citizens.
In a statement released yesterday by the spokesperson for the Service, Peter Afunanya, the DSS urged citizens to adhere to the laid down protocols for the events across the country.
The statement partly read, “It would be recalled that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Transition Council on May 18, 2023, held a World Press Conference during which he announced activities for the Presidential inauguration.
“The major highlight of the activities is the swearing-in of the President on May 29, 2023, in Abuja. On the same date, new Governors will also be inaugurated in most of the States.
“The Service is, however, aware of plans by subversive elements to disrupt the programmes in parts of the country. The aim is to undermine security agencies’ efforts at ensuring peaceful ceremonies as well as creating panic and fear among members of the public.
“Based on these, citizens, the media, and Civil Society Organisations are advised to adhere strictly to security and civil protocols during the events. “
Advising Nigerians to shun fake news that could cause violence in the country, he urged unaccredited persons to stay away from the inauguration venues.
He said, “They are also urged to shun fake news, false alarms, skewed reportage/narratives, and sensationalism that may likely inflame division, tension, and violence prior to and after the exercises. This is more so that such undesirable acts will serve no purpose other than destroying national unity and cohesion.
“Additionally, all unauthorised (and unaccredited) persons are warned to stay away from restricted and certain designated areas at the event venues.
The Service reiterates its earlier call for the populace to remain calm and law-abiding. Meanwhile, it will continue to sustain collaboration with sister agencies to ensure successful inaugurations.”
Tinubu is God’s answer to Nigerians’ prayers for good leadership: Senator Gaya
The Senator representing Kano South in the National Assembly, Kabiru Gaya, has said that the emergence of President-elect Bola Tinubu is God’s answer to the country’s prayers for good leadership.
He said this while speaking during a joint prayer session organised by APC Stakeholders Forum on Wednesday night.
Sen. Gaya said Tinubu’s antecedents as governor of Lagos were evidence of his capacity.
He expressed optimism that if he could replicate what he did in Lagos in terms of infrastructure and grow the state’s economy despite odds at the national level, Nigeria would be a better place for all.
Sen. Gaya noted that Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima also worked hard as governor of Borno.
According to the lawmaker, Tinubu and Shettima are a perfect match that can bring Nigeria to greater heights and make it the envy of other nations.
“I am sure God will guide them to bring in place professionals as cabinet members to work with and form a good government in the interest of the country and its citizens,” the Senator said.
Abudumumini Aminu, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the forum, said the joint prayer session, which cut across religious faith, was to pray for a successful tenure for the in-coming administration.
He said it was also to pray for national unity, peace, progress and the country’s development.
Tinubu will be sworn in as president on Monday.
Since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999, all inaugurations had been held on May 29.
The most recent presidential inauguration was held on May 29, 2019, when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office for a second term.
Recitation of the presidential oath of office is the only component in this ceremony mandated by the Nigerian Constitution.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria administers the presidential oath of office.
Since 1999, five chief justices have administered the oath at six scheduled public inaugurations.
The ceremony will be held at Eagle Square, Three Arms Zone in Abuja.
The Senator representing Kano South in the National Assembly, Kabiru Gaya, has said that the emergence of President-elect Bola Tinubu is God’s answer to the country’s prayers for good leadership.
He said this while speaking during a joint prayer session organised by APC Stakeholders Forum on Wednesday night.
Senator Gaya said Tinubu’s antecedents as governor of Lagos were evidence of his capacity.
He expressed optimism that if he could replicate what he did in Lagos in terms of infrastructure and grow the state’s economy despite odds at the national level, Nigeria would be a better place for all.
Sen. Gaya noted that Vice-President-elect Kashim Shettima also worked hard as governor of Borno.
According to the lawmaker, Tinubu and Shettima are a perfect match that can bring Nigeria to greater heights and make it the envy of other nations.
“I am sure God will guide them to bring in place professionals as cabinet members to work with and form a good government in the interest of the country and its citizens,” the Senator said.
Abudumumini Aminu, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the forum, said the joint prayer session, which cut across religious faith, was to pray for a successful tenure for the in-coming administration.
He said it was also to pray for national unity, peace, progress and the country’s development.
Tinubu will be sworn in as president on Monday.
Since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999, all inaugurations had been held on May 29.
The most recent presidential inauguration was held on May 29, 2019, when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office for a second term.
Recitation of the presidential oath of office is the only component in this ceremony mandated by the Nigerian Constitution.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria administers the presidential oath of office.
Since 1999, five chief justices have administered the oath at six scheduled public inaugurations.
The ceremony will be held at Eagle Square, Three Arms Zone in Abuja.
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