Jega advocates part-time legislature, seeks mandatory e-transfer of election results

Attahiru Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has demanded a review of the Electoral Act 2022 to allow for mandatory electronic transmission of election results.

Speaking at the June 12 edition of ‘The Platform’ in Lagos on Thursday, Jega said there is a need to improve the use of technology during elections to enhance accountability and transparency.

The former INEC chairman called for a review of the appointments of INEC chairpersons, and national and resident commissioners, to remove “presidential influence and interference” in the electoral process.

He added that the late Mohammed Uwais-led electoral reform committee had made certain recommendations on the appointment of INEC chairmen and commissioners.

“There is a need for an increase in the use of technology for elections for transparency and accountability,” Jega said.

“For example, there is also the need to improve upon the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 to make electronic transmission of results mandatory.

“There is a need to ensure transparent testing of electoral technologies because a lot of lack of public trust relates to the haphazard manner in which they were introduced without public participation in the testing of the equipment before they were deployed.

“There is a need to clarify ambiguities in the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act regarding the transmission of election results.

“For example, there is a need to remove ambiguity in section 64 of the electoral act in respect of the stages in comparing physical and electronic results.”

‘PART-TIME LEGISLATURE WITH REDUCED EMOLUMENTS’

Speaking further, the ex-INEC boss said the country’s legislative arm should be repositioned and reformed to better serve the public.

“As part of the process of reforming and strengthening the legislature for efficiency and effectiveness, a strong rational case can be made for both reducing the size of both the federal and state legislatures as well as making their work part-time with reduced emoluments,” he said.

Jega said the legislature can no longer withstand pressure and interference from the executive amid the “budget padding, humongous allowances, and insensitive expenditure” miasma.