The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted on manual collation and transmission of the forth coming elections’ results.
The commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman,
Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, told journalists at
an interactive session, in Abuja, last night that, the decision to stick
to manual collation and transmission of results was in line with extant
electoral laws.
We have a Bill for the amendment of the
electoral law before the National Assembly. We have to conduct the
elections in accordance with the provisions of the existing law. If the
National Assembly amends the law, then we can act accordingly. We cannot
act outside the law,” he said.
Asked if the refusal of President
Buhari to assent to the Bill which had been sent to him by the
legislature, the commissioner said, “In spite of the Bill not been
signed, we have the capacity to conduct elections that Nigerians will be
proud of.”
Mr. Okoye said that necessary arrangements have been
made by INEC for the forth coming elections and that the commission
would disappoint those waiting to buy votes at the polls.
Ask
what strategies have been put in place, in that regard, he said, “The
strategies are been kept secret. We will surprise them.”
According
to him, two Collation Officers would man each polling unit, with one to
collate the presidential election result and move on with it to the
Ward level for immediate transmission; while the second collation
officer would take responsibility for the collation of the Senatorial
and House of Representatives results which would be declared at
different level.
The Commissioner disclosed that People living
with disabilities, albinism, the elderly and pregnant women would
receive special attention at the polling centres.
He also said
that voters could vote with any of their fingers, especially given the
fact that the space against the parties would be smaller due the their
large number.
Mr. Okoye urged political parties to play their roles with a view to making the elections successful.
The
Resident Commission in the Federal Capital Territory, Alh. Yahaya Bello
urged the media to place premium on national security in their
reportage during the elections.
He urged them to avoid sensationalism and fake or unverified reports that could cause violence.
Source:- Vanguardngr
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