Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has said that the decision of the Senate to subject INECs constitutional power to conduct elections to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Assembly is patently unconstitutional.
Tambuwal, who is a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, in a statement he issued in Abuja on Thursday, said INEC constitutional power could not be shared with any institution.
“For the avoidance of doubt, S.78 of the Constitution provides that ‘The Registration of voters and the conduct of elections shall be subject to the direction and supervision of Independent National Electoral Commission’.”
“In the Third Schedule, Part 1,F, S.15: INEC has power to organise, undertake and supervise all elections.
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“The Constitution further provides that INEC operations shall not be subject to the direction of anybody or authority.”
Tambuwal said that unquestionably, the mode of election and transmission of results were critical parts of the conduct, supervision, undertaking and organisation of elections in Nigeria.
“Of course, the National Assembly has power to flesh out the legal framework but that has to be consistent with the Constitution.
“These constitutional powers have been solely and exclusively prescribed by the constitution to INEC, and cannot be shared with the NCC, or any other authority, and certainly not a body unknown to the Constitution.”
Tambuwal said that the senate decision to subject INECs constitutional power to conduct elections to NCC was consequently patently void, unconstitutional and unlawful.
“We had earlier counselled that that the mode of conducting elections and in particular the transmission of votes be left with INEC who would monitor developments and determine at every election the type of technology to be deployed to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
“INEC also has constitutional power backed by the Electoral Act to make rules and guidelines to ensure that every vote is counted and that every vote counts.
“If INEC determines that in any part of the country, electronic transmission is not possible, it would by regulations determine the appropriate thing to do.”
Tambuwal, however, commended the leadership and members of the House for the decision to invite INEC to address the House and nation on its readiness by 2023 to deploy electronic transmission technology for the country elections, seems to be a wise one.
He commended the leadership and Hon Members of the House for the decision.
He further admonished them to remain on the path of patriotism and deepening of Nigeria democracy by engendering and strengthening free and fair electoral process
“In any case, I still believe that the best option is to leave this matter in the hands of INEC.
“We admonish INEC to be solely guided by the National interest and the desire of all Nigerians for a credible, free and fair elections in using its constitutional powers and in the deployment of error free technology.” (NAN)