Segun Olatunji, Kaduna

Shagari, who spoke on Monday in Kaduna at the opening of a two-day public hearing for the North-West zone on the Electoral Reform Bill 2005, organised by the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, said that he mooted the e-voting idea for the 1983 general elections but it was shot down by the National Assembly.

Shagari said that the use of e-voting would enhance the chances of credible elections.

He said, “Perhaps, it may interest you to know that over twenty years ago, I myself have initiated the idea of persuading the National Assembly in the Second Republic to consider and approve the possibility of trying the Electronic Voting Machines for the 1983 general elections and the machines were displayed before the members.

“It is sad however that due to the prevalence of hostile opposition of that time when my party was a minority in the Assembly, this laudable idea had suffered a defeat.

“It is my hope and prayer that this time around, common sense will prevail and our distinguished representatives would consider giving the electronic voting a chance as a veritable instrument dealing a blow to the shameful practice of rigging elections.

“Fortunately, giving support to this worthy project also means giving encouragement not only to a Nigerian invention but also to our Nigerian industrialists who I believe will be happy and ready to manufacture these machines promptly and hopefully efficiently.”

He urged the lawmakers to support the e-voting system and integrate it into the Electoral Bill 2005.

In addition to the e-voting system, the former president said that the country needed a truly independent electoral commission to have any credible election.

He said such electoral commission should be made up of members of professional bodies and non-governmental organisations that are not appointed by government and that it should not be subject to the control of any authority or person financially or otherwise.

Shagari said that INEC should be funded from the Federation Account with the National Assembly exercising oversight functions over its operations, adding that the new electoral law should place a ceiling on the amount of money candidates should be allowed to spend during elections.

He also called for a provision in the electoral law that would allow eligible voters living abroad to register and vote during elections, advising that Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad should be authorised to perform INEC’s roles in this circumstance.

On electoral offences, Shagari said that firm sanctions must be imposed on offending electoral officers and party agents while a constitutional court should be established to promptly deal with election petitions and offences.

Also at the forum, the Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, called for the scrapping of state independent electoral commissions.

Shekarau, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Magaji Abdullahi, said that only INEC should be empowered to conduct elections at all levels.

The Punch, Tuesday July 05, 2005