Although some Commentators have continually pushed for the re-insertion of the Section in the Amended Electoral Act for the electronics transmission of election results, but the National Assembly has not taken the needed step that many Nigerians desires.
It would be recalled that the National Assembly in their last attempt at amending the Electoral Act, did attempted to take away the power of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit electronically, the results of the election.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria is part of a global village where little issues such as electronic voting, transmission and collation of election results are done electronically.
As a matter of fact, this little technology is common and has been with us for years, e.g., we pay monies into a Bank account in Lagos and withdraw same in Maiduguri, we write exams in Warri and the result can be accessed online anywhere across the world.
So why the deliberate refusal to allow INEC transmit electronically the results of the election?
Majority of Nigerians seem to want the electronic transmission of election results and it is necessary that the National Assembly listen to the voice of the people and do the needful.
I dare say that the refusal of the National Assembly to make it mandatory for INEC to transmit and collate electronically election results, may amount to denial of the rights of Nigerians.
A popular politician will easily support the insertion of the Section empowering INEC to collate and transmit election results electronically.
I also recall that both the Edo and Kogi States Gubernatorial elections were watched by many and the results were almost known even before the announcement was made and this helped in no small way in dousing tension in the polity.
It is my candid view that electronic transmission of election results has extremely higher advantages that the National Assembly can leverage on than the flimsy position taken.
I therefore, without hesitation STAND with Nigerians to demand for the electronic transmission of election results.
EWENODE O. WILLIAM ESQ.,
Immediate Past NBA National Asst. Secretary.
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