Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged a review of Nigeria's electoral laws to mandate electronic transmission of results.
Speaking on Thursday, at a Democracy Day event in Lagos, Jega emphasized that this step would enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
According to Jega, amending the Electoral Act to include electronic transmission of results is crucial for building trust in the voting system.
He also stressed the importance of testing electoral equipment transparently before deployment to address concerns about technology use in elections.
“There is a need for an increase in the use of technology for elections for transparency and accountability,” Jega said, adding that the Electoral Act needs to be amended to make the electronic transmission of results mandatory.
“There is also the need to improve upon the provisions of the Electoral Act 2003 to make electronic transmission of results mandatory.”
He noted that many Nigerians remain sceptical about the use of electoral technologies due to past experiences and a perceived lack of transparency.
“It is very important that there is a transparent process of civil engagement in testing this equipment before they are deployed,” he said, urging that more be done to foster trust in the voting system.
Jega’s remarks come in the wake of controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections, particularly the presidential poll which saw President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared winner.
The electronic transmission of results was a central issue during the post-election legal disputes, with the Supreme Court eventually ruling that INEC had the discretion to determine the method of transmitting results.
The former INEC boss also stressed the need to clarify ambiguous aspects of the law regarding the electronic transmission of results. “There is a need to clear any ambiguity about the electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act,” he said.
Beyond electoral reforms, Jega also advocated for structural changes in the legislative arm of government. He proposed a shift to a part-time legislature at both the federal and state levels, arguing that the cost of running Nigeria’s bicameral National Assembly is unsustainable.
“Nigeria needs part-time legislators and a reduction in the number of elected lawmakers to ease the pressure on the country’s funds,” he said.
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