Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Nigeria: Senate summons electoral body boss over poll delay

The Senate yesterday issued sweeping summons to the Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Prof Attahiru Jega to appear before the Upper House today to explain the circumstances that led to the shift of the general elections

In a similar vein,the APC Caucus in the senate yesterday raised fresh alarm over subtle moves to further shift the general elections using card readers as an excuse and likened the shift of the elections to treason and also insisted on the use of card readers for the general elections as it will ensure the elections are free, fair and credible .

Coming under a point of order, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma -Egba stated that given the reasons postulated by the INEC boss for the shift in the elections it was necessary that the Upper House invites Jega to shed more light on the poll shift and explain the use of the card readers for the elections

According to Ndoma-Egba the use of card readers amount to contravention of section 52 of the Electoral Act(2010) which prohibits the use of electronic device during voting and the need for Jega to come and give more information to the Senate

Meanwhile briefing Senate Correspondents, the APC Caucus of the Senate led by Senator Akume   said the issue of election postponement was discussed at the National Council of State meeting and that all the former Heads of State supported the holding of the election as scheduled “Former Chief Justices, those who know the law also supported the holding of the elections.

On the use of card readers they said: Card readers will add value to the conduct of the elections; we are talking about free and fair elections. Time has passed when people carry ballot boxes and papers to their respective rooms, thumb-print and the following days, we have senators, we have members of the House of Representatives, we have governors and we president. The whole world is watching this county.

-http://leadership.ng/

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