We have capacity for electronic transmission of results, INEC

Abuja: Segun AJAYI 

Published, July 18, 2021

INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) on Saturday, July 17, disclosed that it has the capacity to transmit election results electronically from remote areas across the country.

thedispatch had reported that the House of Reps was thrown into disarray on Thursday; as members debated section 52(2) of the electoral amendment act bill, which deals with electronic transmission.

Also on Thursday, APC Senators forced through a version of the bill at the Senate that constrained INEC to seek permission from the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Assembly before employing electronic voting in any part of the country.

However, in a statement on Saturday, July 17, the INEC National Chairman and Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mr Festus Okoye said the Commission’s position was clear.

“We have uploaded results from very remote areas; even from areas where you have to use human carriers to access,” he said.

“So, we have made our own position very clear, that we have the capacity; and we have the will to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process.

“But our powers are given by the constitution and the law; and we will continue to remain within the ambit and confines of the power granted to the commission; by the constitution and the l

According to Soludo, he would participate in the polls; while being the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 6 polls.

The former CBN governor also noted that his exclusion by INEC is only temporary based on a court order.

It had been reported that the list issued by INEC did not contain the names of the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Mr Valentine Ozigbo; as well as that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

 

However, in a statement issued on Friday, July 16, Soludo  through his media aide, Joe Anatune, said he is confident; as assured by his legal team that the current court order will be overturned; and he would contest the November 6 as the APGA candidate.