~ Urges Federal House of Representatives to do likewise
Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche a former deputy speaker of the Federal House of Representatives has commended the members of the senate on the passage of the amended electoral act that empowers INEC to decide on the utilization of electronic transmission of results. He also commended them for amending the electoral act to mandate direct primaries for political parties.
He noted that the foundation of any democratic nation is free, fair and credible elections. Candidates that emerge through a free, fair and credible elections are more likely to work in the interest of the masses and help the country achieve rapid economic development, especially in this challenging times of the global covid pandemic that has made Nigeria witness a decline in her economy.
He also opined that the electronic transmission of results would avoid the violence often witnessed at elections, especially at the point of manual collation of votes where thugs are deployed to chase away voters and manipulate the results. He further commended the courage of the Senate in revisiting those provisions which the masses of Nigeria had commented against.
He maintained that “part of the reason why many professionals often do not venture into politics is the fear that the votes of the masses will not count even if they voted,and the needless violence and manipulation that has become synonymous with elections.That often some of those who are eventually announced in this flawed process are not the ones preferred by the voters, especially in party primaries where god fathers impose unpopular candidates on hapless members”.
Manipulations has also led to apathy on the part of some youths and the voting populace who feel that their votes won’t count,and decide not to vote,and some to sell their votes for a pittance on the day of election.
He urged the House of Representatives to also do likewise and confirm the amendments so that Nigerians can have renewed confidence in the electoral system and turn out in mass to elect the right candidates that will change the fortune of our country and bequeath a better country to the younger generation.
“Good, productive and people oriented governance begins on a foundation of free, fair and credible elections,where the votes of the masses is the only pathway to leadership” he maintained.
13th October, 2021
