By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have enjoined the National Assembly to immediately set up its Conference Committee that will harmonise the different versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bills passed by both Chambers, with a clear mandate to harken to the wishes of Nigerians and be guided by the national interest, particularly on the issue of electronic transmission of results.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, in as statement, yesterday by its Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, enjoined the lawmakers to align with the yearnings of millions of compatriots in approving electronic transmission of election results in the country.
The National Assembly, which resumed session after it’s yearly recess yesterday, is expected to announce names of members of the Conference Committee that will harmonize the different versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bills passed by both Chambers.
The PDP Governors Forum want the legislators to approach the task with a clear mandate to harken to the wishes of Nigerians and be guided by the national interest, particularly on the issue of electronic transmission of results.
They requested the National Assembly Conference Committee to jettison the House of Representatives decision that has the effect of forcing all political parties to adopt only one method of conducting primaries.
The House, it will be recalled, amended S.87 (1) of the Act, by deleting Indirect Primaries and mandating only Direct Primaries.
The PDP Governors’ Forum expressed the view that political parties should be allowed discretion to adopt either direct or indirect primaries in their Constitutions and in practice.
The Senate version that retained the original provision in the Electoral Act, thePDP-GF contended, should be adopted in the interest of the growth of the nation’s political parties and freedom of choice, which are the hallmark of a functional democracy.
The intervention of the PDP Governors, the statement explained, is predicted on the need to ensure a free, fair and credible election, that will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law, adding that only a credible election will guarantee accountability and good governance which Nigeria so desperately needs now.
Nigerians, the PDP-GF maintained, should rise and demand no less from her politicians, because it is only credible elections that puts the power in the hands of the people.
“This is not a partisan issue. It is not a regional or religious matter . The National Assembly should act in a patriotic manner as representatives of the people of Nigeria”, the Forum said.
The press statement by the Forum reads, “The PDP Governors’ Forum welcomes the National Assembly from its recess and enjoins it to immediately set up its Conference Committee that will harmonise the different versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bills passed by both Chambers, with a clear mandate to harken to the wishes of Nigerians and be guided by the national interest, particularly on the issue of electronic transmission of results.
“The Forum insists that a further delay in passing and assenting to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill will do grievous and irreparable damage to preparations for the conduct of the 2023 elections in Nigeria.
“The PDP Governors’ Forum requests the Senate and House of Representatives (House) Conference Committee when set up, to adopt the House version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill on the issue of Electronic Transmission.
“It should be noted that Section 52(2) of the House version says: “Voting at an election and transmission of result under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission.”
“Section 52 (2) of the Senate version provides: “The Commission may consider electronic transmission of results provided that the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and approved by the National Assembly.
“The Senate version which subjects the decision of INEC to deploy electronic transmission to the decision of the Nigerian Communications Commission and National Assembly is manifestly a usurpation of the powers of INEC and offends relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution that guarantees INEC’s autonomy and independence.
“The Forum recognises that INEC has demonstrated the capacity to transmit votes electronically, both in recent off season elections and with the introduction and deployment of the Biomodel Voters Accreditation System (BVAs), used in the recent bye-election in Delta State.
“Furthermore, it is necessary to remind the Senate and House Conferees that both Chambers had already approved in S.63(5) of the Bill as follows: “The Presiding officer shall transmit the results including total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”
“It is obvious that S.52 (2) of the Senate version is manifestly inconsistent with S.63 (5) contained in the same Bill. No doubt, S.63 (5) which both Chambers approved is consistent with S.52 (2) of the House version and should be upheld by the Conference Committee.
“The Conference has no choice but to adopt the House version as to do otherwise would lead to unnecessary complications and conflicts even within the Bill.
“Secondly, the PDP Governors requests the National Assembly Conference Committee to jettison the House of Representatives decision that has the effect of forcing all political parties to adopt only one method of conducting primaries. The House amended S.87 (1) of the Act, by deleting Indirect Primaries and mandating only Direct Primaries.
“The Forum is of the view that political parties should be allowed discretion to adopt either direct or indirect primaries in their Constitutions and in practice. “The Senate version that retains the original provision in the Electoral Act should be adopted in the interest of the growth of our political parties and freedom of choice, the hallmark of a functional democracy.
“This intervention of the PDP Governors is predicated on the need to ensure a free, fair and credible election, that strengthens Nigeria’s democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law.
“Only a credible election will guarantee accountability and good governance which Nigeria so desperately needs today.
“Nigerians should rise and demand no less from her politicians. It is only credible elections that puts the power in the hands of the people.
“This is not a partisan issue. It is not a regional or religious matter. The National Assembly should act in a patriotic manner as representatives of the people of Nigeria”, the PDP-GF maintained.