Senate gives terror-linked Pantami power to decide electronic transmission of election results

This move by the Senate has denied Nigeria’s electoral commission (INEC) the power to transmit results of elections electronically, while NCC is given the power to decide.

Nigerian senators on Thursday empowered the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Assembly to determine the use of electronic transmission in an election.

52 senators voted in favour of granting the powers to the NCC and NASS while 28 voted against it. A total of 28 senators were absent during the voting process.

Section 50(2) of the passed Electoral Act say that Independent National Electoral Commission may electronically transmit results if the NCC certifies that the mode of transmission is safe and secure. The National Assembly must also concur to the use, the proposal stated.

This move by the Senate has denied Nigeria’s electoral commission (INEC) the power to transmit results of elections electronically, while NCC is given the power to decide.

The NCC is an agency under the direct supervision of the terror-linked Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who has over time shown complete control of the agency using it to suppress free speech.

Since late 2020, the minister has been on an aggressive push to collect personal data of Nigerians, including their biometric information for telephone lines and a national identity card.

On Wednesday, Peoples Gazette reported how Mr Pantami signed Nigeria up for the membership of Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO), a group that includes strictly Islamic countries.

With the amendment, the fate of credible elections in Nigeria now rests with politicians such as senators and Mr Pantami whose continued role in public office continues to generate controversy.