The Network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Yobe, has welcomed the Senate’s decision empowering the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), to determine e-transmission of election results.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senators on Tuesday gave INEC the power to determine how election results should be transmitted.
Alhaji Baba Shehu, Chairman of the Coalition, told NAN in Damaturu on Wednesday, that e-transmission of election results would mitigate rigging and electoral violence.
He said the fact that the senate had decided to listen to the popular demand and act accordingly was a “welcome development.”
Shehu said, “the previous position was obviously condemned by many Nigerians, who saw it as an attempt by the senate to usurp the powers of INEC.
“Looking at this technologically driven era, I think it won’t tell well of this country to lack the capacity to transmit election results electronically.”
The chairman said that e-transmission of election results would instill confidence in the electorates and reduce possible attack by hoodlums on electoral officials conveying election materials to the commission.
He urged INEC to leverage on the decision of the senate to ensure effective e-transmission of elelection results were adopted to encourage democratic development in the country.
Shehu, however, called on critical stakeholders to establish special tribunal to deal with electoral violence.
“There is a need for establishment of special tribunal for electoral violence, snatching of ballot boxes, among others.
“This should be treated immediately even before the other tribunal so that perpetrators of violence will be punished according to the law, to serve as a deterrence to other offenders,” he said. (NAN)
