LG election: Umeh harps on need for timely transmission of votes
PAMELA EBOH, Awka
The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial zone of at the red chambers of the National Assembly, Sen Victor Umeh has harped on the need for timely transmission of electoral results of tge September 28 local government elections in Anambra State.
This he said would guarantee election credibility and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
Umeh stated this while addressing the Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI), a youth group advocating for electoral reforms pn Monday.
He hailed the youths for their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral systems, saying, "Your reform proposals, including the establishment of an electoral offences commission, timely transmission of election results, and INEC leadership selection process, are crucial for a functional democracy.
"The electoral reform is a critical process that must be vigorously pursued, hence, the transparent acquisition of power and leadership creation are essential."
According to Umeh, delay in election results transmission creates room for manipulation.
while saying that real-time transmission ensures election outcome certainty, the lawmaker advocated for an independent electoral offences commission that will take charge of resolving election disputes before inauguration, and also, removing INEC leadership appointments from the office of the president.
He further emphasized the need for continuous voters registration and stringent provisions for failure to register voters.
Umeh further assured the group that he would circulate their proposals among his colleagues and urged them to continue their struggles, expressing optimism that the Senators would support their cause.
Earlier in his speech, the Executive Director of CATYCOI, Nonso Orakwe, explained that the group chose to visit Senator Umeh due to his capacity and influence in decision-making at the National Assembly.
Programme Manager, Israel Oji, also explained that the “Top 5 youth Electoral Reform priorities in Nigeria” was a product of surveys conducted by the group, which hitherto reflects the minds of youths across the country.