…As Grassroots Group Rejects Attempt To Raise Limit For Campaign Expenses
Some aggrieved Nigerians, on Tuesday, stormed the National Assembly to protest the alleged plan to ban electronic transmission of results in the proposed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021.
It was reported that some members of the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) raised serious objections about the adoption of the electronic transmission of results.
Subsquently, a strange Section 50(2) emerged from the proposed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021. According to the instruments of the section, electronic transmission of results would be completely outlawed in Nigeria.
The provision reads, “Voting at an election under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedures determined by the commission, which may include electronic voting provided that the Commission shall not transmit results of the election by electronic means.”
Meanwhile, a group of activists on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to protest the purported law.
Popular activists like Aisha Yesufu, Deji Adeyanju, among others were present at the National Assembly to press home their demands.
While speaking, Yesufu challenged the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to exercise legislative powers in making policies that will favour the masses.
According to her, the electoral act shouldn’t be compromised for any interest or agenda.
In her words, “Give Nigerians a credible election so that whenever we talk about elections in this country, whenever we have good, credible elections in this country, we will remember the 9th assembly and forget all of those atrocities they meted out on the people.
“Lawan and Gbajabiamila, you are the heads of the National Assembly, be heads, stop being tails, the legislative arm of government is an arm on its own, there is separation of powers, there is independence, stop doing ‘boy boy’.
“At the end of the day, this country belongs to all of us, and no Nigerian is more Nigerian than any Nigerian, no matter whether you are the executive, legislature or in the judiciary. We must fight for a greater Nigeria so that 100 years from now, the Nigeria that will be here will remember this moment and say we did well.”
Also, ReclaimNaija Grassroots Network, comprising grassroots community development and professional associations across the country, has also called on the National Assembly to ensure that the outcome of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill reflects the views of the Nigerian people for free, fair and credible elections.
According to the group, the lawmaker must ensure that the proposed Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 safeguard the integrity and the credibility of elections in Nigeria.
The group also rejected the purported plans of banning electronic transmission of results, saying that the lawmakers must respect the interest of Nigerians and the country at large.
This was contained in a statement signed by the group.
The statement partly reads, “We want an Electoral Act that puts an end to electoral fraud and malpractices. The Electoral Act must protect the mandate of Nigerian citizens and make sure that their votes count.
“It should also be one that ensures a level-playing ground for citizens and not one that favours the socio-economically privileged sections of the society. All these were expressed in the recent public hearings and consultations carried out by NASS.
“We are, therefore, gravely concerned to hear that there are attempts to introduce into the Electoral Bill 2021 clauses that undermine electoral integrity and the expressed will of Nigerian citizens, whose interests the legislators are supposed to be upholding in the National Assembly.
“Electronic Transmission of Results – Section 50 (2): We demand the electronic transmission of results from the polling units and reject any attempt to endorse manual transmission of results.
Also, the group reject the attempt to increase the financial limit for campaigns in Nigeria.
According to Section 91(2) and 91(3) of the Electoral Act, the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential and governorship election shall be one billion naira only and two hundred million naira only respectively.
However, many have called for a drastic reduction in a bid to align with the realities of the country.
Speaking further, the group rejected any move to increase the financial limit, adding that the cost of running for political offices is getting high.
“Drastic Reduction in Campaign Finance Limits – Section 88: We reject the attempt to astronomically increase the limit for campaign expenses. This is because the high cost of running for office is one of the reasons why disadvantaged groups in our country such as women, youths, persons with disability and low-income earners are not able to contest for public office.
“It also contributes to electoral fraud and godfatherism so that sometimes the candidate that ends up emerging is the one who spent the most money and not necessarily the best candidate,” the group added.
Arguing on the need to empower INEC on review of Election Results (Section 65[2]), the network is of the view that, “This section should be reviewed to give INEC the power to review declaration of results that are inconsistent with the electoral laws and guidelines, or made under duress.”
“Without such powers for INEC, the National Assembly will be encouraging the unscrupulous elements who threaten election officials to declare false results.
“As grassroots citizens who are already socio-economically disadvantaged and marginalised from active political participation, we urge members of the National Assembly not to take any steps to produce an Electoral Act that would further worsen our situation.
“Ideally, it is to members of the National Assembly that citizens, like us, should rely on to ensure that our aspirations and interests are protected. Please, do the needful,” the network noted.
Organizations which endorsed this statement include Elder O.K. Miller, Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association, Delta State, Bilkisu Ado Zango, President, Initiative for Disability Inclusion and Diversity, Comrade Roselyn Osawe (JP), Association of Compassion Women, Edo State, Mrs. Ogundare Motunrayo, Nigerian Association of Saloon Hairdressers and Cosmetologists (NASHCO), Ejigbo, Lagos State, Mrs. Mary Matanmi, NASHCO, Isolo, Lagos State, Mr. Tunji Bakare, Professional Carpenters and Furniture Makers Association, Isolo, Lagos State and Engineer Joy Omiyale, Nigerian Automobile Technician Association, Oshodi, Lagos State.
Others include Mr. Osasona Amos, Youth Leader, Ipere Community, Illejemeje, Ekiti State, Mr. Akole Olatunbosun, Youth Leader, Ikere Local Government, Ekiti State, Alhaji Murtala Adesiyan, Community Leader, Modakeke, Ife-North East Area Office, Osun State, Chief Areola Ayoposi, Community Leader, Odo-Ayedun, Ikole Local Government, Ekiti State, Chief Adeleke Jacob Ajayi, Community Leader, Ilasa, Ekiti State, Rev. Dr. Ayo Oladapo, CAN Chairman, Ondo State and Venerable (Dr.) Adamolekun Olusegun, CAN Secretary, Ondo West Local Government, Ondo State.
Those who also signed the statement include:15. Barrister Deborah Ijadele Adetona, National President, Stand Up for Women Society, Mohammed Ishyaku, Integrity Consultative Forum, Gombe State, Mr. Olaniyan Isiaq, Youth Leader, Atakunmosa West Central, Osun State, Mr. Oyeyemi Wasiu, Community Leader, Egbedore South, Osun State, Mrs. Ladi Iliya, Mobilisation Towards Leadership for Women and Youth Development Initiative (MOLDEV), Plateau State, Mr. Wahidi Onilewura, Community Development Council (CDC), Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State and Ms Celine Osukwu, Community Life Project (CLP).
