Former Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose has cautioned federal lawmakers against opposing the electronic transfer of election results.
He told them to stop seeing the amendment of the electoral act as personal to them and their political future.
In a statement on Sunday, Fayose noted that those currently in the National Assembly (NASS) might be at the receiving end of whatever they do or fail to do.
He said if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is saying it has the capacity to transmit results electronically anywhere in Nigeria, “what then is the NASS afraid of?”
Fayose warned the NASS not to present itself before Nigerians as a clog in the wheel of free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.
He said if the Point of Sale (POS) machine is being used for financial transactions nationwide, an electoral process in which voters will be accredited with card readers and results transmitted electronically is possible.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain reminded the NASS that political parties are not INEC appendages.
Fayose said telling parties how to conduct their primary elections amounts to taking over the powers of the parties to run their affairs.
He pointed out the platforms were founded on different ideologies and should conduct their affairs in accordance with their constitutions.
Political parties, according to Fayose, should be allowed to decide whether to use a direct or indirect method of primaries as well as those who should vote.
“The NASS members should not allow their personal interest to drag the country democracy into a hitch because if care is not taken.
“We will be having many court cases in our hands concerning the electoral act, thereby putting the 2023 general elections in jeopardy.
“The NASS should also avoid playing into the hands of the president, bearing in mind that the same President refused to sign amendments to the electoral act in the past,” Fayose said.
