Opposition Reps stage walk out over removal of real time transmission of election results

The opposition caucus of the House of Representatives on Tuesday expressed their stiff rejection of amendment of ‘removal of real time transmission of election results as contained in Electoral Act, insisting that they would not be party to creating proviso that create room for rigging or manipulation.

Trouble started when the House reconvened to tamper with the clause that spelt out real time transmission of election result which was the only item slated for debate on Tuesday.

Advertisements

Addressing the House of Reps Press Corps, they reiterated their stance that any clause capable of creating “connotation for rigging or leeway for uncoordinated actions” must be removed from the bill.

Opposition leader, Rep Chinda Kingsley said, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC should be authorized to decide electoral procedures as a matter of mandate without political interference.

Advertisements

They threw their weight behind electronic transmitted results should there be a conflict with the manual ones.

According to them, this would strengthen transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

They alleged that their proposals were turned down by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), not on legal or procedural grounds, but along party lines.

“We believe Nigerians should stand with us to protect the integrity of the electoral process,” one of the lawmakers said, adding that further consultations would be carried out to rally public support.

The opposition also reiterated its stance on Section 84 of the Electoral Act, which deals with the mode of primary elections. They argued that political parties should be allowed to determine their preferred method of candidate selection — whether direct or indirect primaries — without being compelled by law to adopt a specific system.

According to them, internal party democracy would be better strengthened if parties are given the flexibility to choose the method that suits them.

The opposition called on Nigerians, well-meaning individuals and civil society organisations to monitor developments.

Advertisements

Advertisements