By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West, on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has restate his faith that electronic transmission of election results will still be part of the 2023 general election.
In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu it is unfortunate that just as was the case in the last National Assembly when efforts to better the quality of elections were serially frustrated and eventually not signed into law by Mr. President, non-progressives are equally frustrating the current exertions.
He acknowledged that vested political interests obviously never wanted electronic transmission of results to come to fruition.
“They used their number to block it. However, it is also a fact that the vehemence of those minded against such reform is not new. The Senator nearly lost his life in this cause as armed criminals stormed the Senate on April 18, 2018 to cart away the mace and truncate the discussion of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which included electronic conduct of elections.
“Ekweremadu presided on that fateful day. It is on record that the lawmaker stood his ground. Despite all the odds that have been stacked against him, Ekweremadu has remained consistent and true to his political beliefs and conscience, refusing to legislate out of fear or to fear to legislate.”
He said it is unfortunate that those who rode to power on the back of the electoral reforms and conducive democratic environment engendered by PDP administrations have continued to take various caustic measures to frustrate further electoral reforms.
“Ekweremadu restates his faith that results of the 2023 elections will ultimately be electronically transmitted because it is the best way to go. The issue of electronic transmission of results should not be reduced to party or sectional dichotomies. Every lawmaker is expected to vote in support of what is best for the country, irrespective of political affiliation.
“Therefore, as was the case with electronic voting, Ekweremadu is resolved to work with other patriotic and progressive lawmakers to resurrect electronic transmission of results upon the resumption of the National Assembly, starting from the point of harmonisation of the clauses passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“He has also enjoined those opposed to electronic transmission of results to use the opportunity of the break to reflect on the issue and return with the determination to do what is best for the nation, more so when INEC has further affirmed that it has the capacity to do electronic transmission of results”, the statement said.
