Former President Goodluck Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday supported the calls for electronic voting in the country.
According to him, the system would not only ensure the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission but also make elections in the country credible.
He stressed that he finds it difficult to believe the opposition that has greeted the use of the electronic voting despite the advancement technology has brought.
Jonathan spoke while delivering a lecture on Wednesday at the inauguration ceremony/lecture of the National Defence College, Course 30, in Abuja.
He said, ”There is no doubt that the independence of the electoral management body is the key plank upon which a thriving democracy rests.
“In Nigeria, the agency with the constitutional responsibility for this role is the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“There is the need for those involved in the ongoing electoral reforms to review their efforts and ask themselves some tough questions.
“That way, they will be able to determine whether they are advancing the course of democracy by working to enhance and protect the constitutionally guaranteed duties of INEC or seeking to encumber the body with unnecessary posturing, capable of negatively affecting the exercise of its independence, in the conduct of elections.
“I have always made the case that electronic voting is the way to go, if we truly desire to secure the credibility and integrity of our elections.
“It is difficult, therefore, to understand why the argument against the possibility of electronic transmission of election results continues to persist, despite all the advancement made in information and communication technology, over the years.
“If we truly desire to deepen the roots of democracy in our land, we should not seek to reverse the progress already recorded by INEC in the application of modern tools in the conduct of elections but aim to improve the processes in the light of new technology. ”
Speaking on the theme, ‘Human security and national development: The whole society approach ‘, the former President said emphasis should be placed on human security. (Punch)
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