Group lauds Reps over adoption of e-voting system at plenary

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has commended the House of Representatives for embracing the adoption of e-voting system as it discards highly manipulative “say aye” and the “say nay” method of voting.

Recently, as reported in the news, the House of Representatives reached a favorable deduction by ditching its hitherto voice-voting method of yelling “aye” and “nay” for the electronic means of voting.” This development is highly welcomed as it is an audacious step and a move in the right direction fitting into the change agenda of the present government” said the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran.

While reacting to the adoption of e-voting, the anti-corruption crusader said “the process of screaming ‘aye’ or ‘nay’ for supporting or opposing an issue on the floor is obsolete and such malfeasant measures are highly manipulative, creating avenues for the Presiding officer to sway the House to suit their own interest. The e-voting will also expose absentee legislators and those who vote against the interest of their constituents.”

Continuing, he said, “if for example the ‘ayes’ shouts the loudest and the Presiding officer for self-interest indicates that the ‘nays’ have shouted the loudest, then the vote goes in favor of the ‘nays’. And ironically, this is the same unjust and obsolete system of voting that has lead to myriad of vicious brawls in the National Assembly in the past and till date.”

In concluding, he said, “with all the vagaries and innate practices paraded by those in authority, I therefore call upon all the right thinking Nigerians to insist on transparency in the activities of the legislators to conform to the norms and ethics of democracy. We should prevent the abnormal from becoming the normal in our beloved country; we must deny the toga of shame foisted on us collectively as a people by those corrupt elements lurking in the corridors of power.”