Dr. Usman Bugaje, a prominent Islamic scholar and political activist, alleges that opponents block mandatory electronic transmission of election results to prepare for electoral rigging and grant undue advantage to certain political actors.
Bugaje claims these moves deliberately prepare the ground for widespread electoral rigging, handing undue advantages to specific political actors.
Bugaje: No-Capacity Claims Excuse Electoral Weakening
According to him, that the country lacks the capacity to transmit election results electronically are merely excuses intended to weaken the electoral process.
“These are all strategies to prepare for rigging. It’s very clear.
People use telephones, WhatsApp, sending messages and communicating without issues,” he elaborated.
This example vividly illustrates how basic digital tools already permeate even the most isolated areas, making the infrastructure argument laughable.
He however argues that it is not the responsibility of lawmakers to determine the operational capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Noting that INEC had already indicated its readiness.
“In any case, it is for INEC to say that we do not have the capacity to deliver. It is not for the legislators to do that.
And like I said, INEC itself has recommended in its submission during the public hearing that this is the position,” he added.
Bugaje Questions Senate Speculation on INEC’s Transmission Ability
Bugaje questioned why the Senate would speculate about INEC’s alleged inability to conduct real-time transmission.
According to him, experts had affirmed that network coverage across the country was adequate.
“So what is the business of the Senate to start speculating about INEC inability to do that when INEC is very clear on his own particular position,” he said.
“And experts in the last few days have come out to say that the amount of coverage is more than sufficient for INEC to deliver.”
“Remember, even if you post in remote areas, by the time you move into area of coverage.
The message will find its way to the portal.
And therefore it’s not something that is impossible,”he added.
Bugaje: Less-Developed Nations Succeed with E-Transmission
Source reports that the incident further argued that several countries with less advanced internet infrastructure had successfully implemented electronic transmission of election results.
“Many countries in the world, which are far less developed in terms of internet coverage, have done exactly this.
So really, these are no reasons at all,” Bugaje stated.
“These are alibis, excuses given because they want to prepare for rigging.
Otherwise, why should you block it in the 21st Century, with all the advancements?
In any case, we have sufficient time to build the capacity of INEC.This can be done in one month.”
Allegations Of Electoral Manipulation
“So I think the whole idea of giving excuses is suspect.
And clearly the intention is to find a way of attenuating the electoral system in a way that will give certain people the advantage to rig our elections like they have done,” he said.
He also referenced past electoral controversies, questioning why authorities never thoroughly investigated key incidents properly.
“Even last year, you recall clearly what happened.
They switched off, and then all sorts of images were coming and really up to now.
Nobody has adequately explained to us what exactly happened,” he said.
“I mean, if it was a glitch, why didn’t it happen with other results? Why only the Presidential results?
And this is something in a serious country that must have been investigated.
And if people were found wanting, they would have been prosecuted, but a lot of these criminals are working scot free.”
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