The PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) has urged the National Assembly to immediately set up its Conference Committee to harmonise the different versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by both chambers.
The forum made the appeal in a statement by its Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Senate and the House of Representatives reconvened on Tuesday after about two months of recess.
Before proceeding on the recess in July, both chambers passed the Electoral Bill with some differences, especially on the controversial Section 52 which stipulates the electronic transmission of election results.
While the Senate passed its own version empowering the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Assembly to determine the use of electronic transmission, the House of Representatives left the section as recommended by its committee to allow INEC to determine what to do.
The PDPGF said the harmonisation committee should be set up with a clear mandate to hearken to the wishes of Nigerians and be guided by national interest, particularly on the issue of electronic transmission of results.
The forum requested the Senate and House of Representatives Conference Committee, when set up, to adopt the House version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill on the issue of electronic transmission.
“It should be noted that Section 52(2) of the House version says:
“Voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission.”
The forum recalled that Section 52 (2) of the Senate version provides that:
“Commission may consider electronic transmission of results provided that the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and approved by the National Assembly.”
It added that such also negated relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution that guarantees INEC’s autonomy and independence.
The forum added that it recognised that INEC had demonstrated the capacity to transmit votes electronically.
It stated that such was demonstrated both in recent off season elections and with the introduction and deployment of the Bio model Voters Accreditation System (BVAs), used in the recent bye-election in Delta State.
“The Presiding officer shall transmit the results including total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.
“No doubt, S.63 (5) which both Chambers approved is consistent with S.52 (2) of the House version and should be upheld by the Conference Committee.
“The Conference has no choice but to adopt the House version as to do otherwise would lead to unnecessary complications and conflicts even within the Bill.’’
The PDP governors also requested the National Assembly conference committee to jettison the House of Representatives’ decision that had the effect of forcing all political parties to adopt only one method of conducting primaries.
It recalled that the House amended S.87 (1) of the Act, by deleting indirect primaries and mandating only direct primaries.
“The Forum is of the view that political parties should be allowed discretion to adopt either direct or indirect primaries in their Constitutions and in practice.
“The Senate version that retains the original provision in the Electoral Act should be adopted in the interest of the growth of our political parties and freedom of choice, the hallmark of a functional democracy.’’
It stated that the intervention of the PDP governors was predicated on the need to ensure a free, fair and credible election that will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law.
“Only a credible election will guarantee accountability and good governance which Nigeria so desperately needs today.
“Nigerians should rise and demand no less from their politicians. It is only credible elections that put the power in the hands of the people.
“This is not a partisan issue. It is not a regional or religious matter. The National Assembly should act in a patriotic manner as representatives of the people of Nigeria,” the governors said.