TheCable

Forty-two civil society organisations (CSOs) have expressed concern over the “manipulations” in the electoral act amendment bill.

TheCable had reported how the national assembly blocked the transmission of election results through electoral means in clause 50(2) of the bill.

In clause 88 of the proposed legislation, the lawmakers also tripled expenses for presidential, gubernatorial, senate and house of representatives elections by about 200 percent.

The alleged action by the national assembly has drawn criticism from many Nigerians.

In a statement on Sunday, the CSOs expressed concern that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will not have the ability to conduct fair polls and effectively manage results without electronic transmission.

The CSOs said parts of the electoral act amendment bill does not represent the interest of citizens, adding that it is “a forged document that must not be substituted for our legitimate demands”.

“In particular, the manipulation of section 50(2) undermines INEC’s effort to improve the election results management regime, considering that we recently witnessed the successful introduction of the election results Viewing Portal in some of the off-cycle elections, which improved the integrity of the process greatly,” they said.

“In addition, the dramatic increase in spending limits should be of great concern to all Nigerians. It is an indication that the national assembly is committed to entrenching a political system that is heavily monetised.

“We are worried about the grave implications these underhanded manipulations and illegal actions will have on our electoral process.

“We call on Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, to speak up clearly that they are not aware of these amendments and are not part of any attempt to subvert the voices of Nigerians.

“We also urge Nigerians to stand up to resist this latest attempt by the National Assembly to manipulate the Electoral Act for self-perpetuation and self-interest. We must ensure this bill is not passed on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

“We will continue to make the contact information of national assembly members available so that Nigerians can engage their representatives directly.”

Below is a list of the CSOs that signed the statement:

• Center for Liberty
• The Electoral Hub
• Yiaga Africa
• Ayisha Osori
• Princess Hamman-Obels
• Raising New Voices
• Ready To Lead Africa
• MACAA
• Speak Out Africa Initiative
• Centre for Development Alternatives Research and Studies
• Aspilos Foundation
• Free Nigeria Coalition
• Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative
• Concerned Nigerians
• SING Nigeria
• Enough is Enough
• Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)
• Community Life Project (CLP)
• FAME Foundation
• Women in Politics Forum (WIPF)
• UTO Foundation
• Ebere Ifendu
• Vision Spring Initiatives
• South-South Professional Women Association (SSPWA)
• Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome
• Media Concern Initiative (MediaCon) for Women and Children
• Nigeria Women Trust Fund
• Women Foundation of Nigeria
• Baobab for Women’s Human Rights
• NILOWV
• Iyom Josphine Anenih
• Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF)
• Daria Media Foundation
• TechHerNG
• Learning Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI)
• Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development
• Education as Vaccine
• Young Women in Politics Forum
• Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights
• Clem Aguiyi, President Move on Nigeria and Co-Founder: Powered by the People
• Paul Ogwu. Acting Executive Director, Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation.
• Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD)