Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of results may increase apathy, PDP warns

As reactions continue to trail the Senate rejection of the electronic transmission of election results, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP  has berated the actions of the Upper Legislative chamber, warning that it may provoke greater aparty to elections in Nigeria.

The PDP in a statement signed by Ini Ememobong, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, described the action as a sad indication that the national assembly are not ready for elections sanctity and consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.

According to the party, “This rejection is a clear indication that the National Assembly is not willing or ready to legislate for electoral sanctity and democratic consolidation.

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The party also described the rejection as “most shameful and unfortunate”.

The party also reminded the lawmakers that “they are delegates of power invested in them by the voters in their various constituencies”,  and urged them to “endeavour to mirror their desires and wishes at all times.

“It is common knowledge that the majority of Nigerians all across the 109 Senatorial Districts desire electoral sanctity which is better guaranteed through the electronic transmission of votes from the polling units,” Ememobong said innthe statement.

The party, while recalling the widespread practice of altering results before it got to the collation centres or at the collation centres, in previous elections, said “electronic transmission would have brought an end to this ignoble practice that has been deployed by politicians to win elections against the wishes of the people expressed through the ballot.

“This is indeed a sad day for electoral democracy. We hereby call the National Assembly to immediately reconsider its stand on this matter and take steps to pass the amendment approving the electronic transmission of results.

“This is the minimum amendment that  can increase faith in the electoral process, without which the apathy will be worse than the last general election, which is greatly unhelpful to democracy.”

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