By our reporter/ Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday called on the national assembly to adopt electronic transmission of results in the electoral act amendment bill.
The senate and the house of representatives in July passed the electoral act bill but with different versions on the issue of electronic transmission of election results.
The bill will be transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent after the harmonisation of the two versions by the conference committee of both chambers.
But speaking on the issue while delivering a lecture at the inauguration ceremony/lecture of the National Defence College (NDC), Course 30, in Abuja, Jonathan
said the adoption of electronic transmission of results will improve transparency in the electoral process.
He urged Nigerians to have confidence in INEC to avoid crisis each time there is a general election.
He said, “Where there is no confidence in the electoral umpire, people resort to crisis. But unfortunately, sometimes when the result come out, the damage would have been done”.
“I urge the national assembly, while looking at the law, they should allow the use electronic means of transmitting results for the sake of transparency as well as avoiding electoral crisis”
On the security situation in the country, Jonathan said security is the business of every Nigerian, noting that government should not be left alone to secure lives and property.
“It is very obvious that these days people don’t go to farm anymore because of one fear or the other. Everybody should be involved in securing the country. Yes, government will do its part but we as individuals should also do our own part, the former president said.
“My humble suggestion is that government and stakeholders should do a lot of dialogue, when you start talking sometimes it reduces the anger in people. We must build this issue of human security and the security of the country.“
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