As public attention shifts to both chambers of Nigeria’s national assembly to review the controversial Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, INEC, which is at the centre of the conversation has issued a 25-page Position Paper reiterating its capacity, readiness, and ability to deliver elections with integrity using appropriate and available technology, including for the electronic transmission of election results.
The Commission detailed its successful pilot programmes and engagements from 2018 with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) through a committee, which reached the conclusion that it is possible for INEC to transmit poll results electronically.
The INEC position paper dispelled misconceptions on the issue and made it abundantly clear that all the Commission requires is the enabling and legal framework to deploy available technology for the electronic transmission of election results.
Also Read : INEC suspends Continuous Voter Registration exercise in Katsina
The Commission also described as a breach of the constitution, any suggestion that it should obtain attestation from the NCC or approval of the National Assembly before the exercise of its statutory mandate, including the electronic transmission of poll results.
By this clarification, the ball is now squarely in the court of the legislature to meet the yearnings of the majority of Nigerians for the delivery of free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in the country, using appropriate, available, and tested technological tools.
(Editor : Amaechi Anakwe)
