Posted by This Day Online on
Former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Sonekan, and Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos State yesterday disagreed sharply over a possible adoption of the electronic voting system for the 2007 polls.
Former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Sonekan, and Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos State yesterday disagreed sharply over a possible adoption of the electronic voting system for the 2007 polls.
Shonekan and Tinubu spoke in Ikeja at the commencement of a two-day public hearing organised by the Senate Committe on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the 2004 draft electoral bill.
Shonekan spoke in support of the adoption of electronic voting machine for 2007 general elections as part of current moves being made to reform the nation's electoral system.
"Time is ripe to introduce the electronic voting system for a transparent electoral system," he said.
Shonekan said the voting device and the secret ballot system would help reduce electoral malpractices in the country and suggested a stiff penalty for political thugs and poll riggers.
He called for a complete re-organisation of INEC to guarantee its independence and better funding.
"Without it, efforts at achieving credible elections will come to nought. Whatever can be done to sustain our democracy deserves
the support of everybody," he said.
But Tinubu, in a keynote address, rejected the electronic machine, saying it may not be fool-proof.
"Electronic voting system ? I say no to it. I can only support it if it is designed by the United Nations," he said, adding that "we will not accept it. We were almost robbed of our victory in 2003 via the website."
The governor said a multi-party system was a necessary ingredient for democracy to flourish, urging the National Assembly to "av0oid printers' devil" in the final report and not to allow it to gather dust on the shelve.
"The public hearing is a good initiative, but you (Senate) must ensure its implementation and avoid printer's devil in the final report," he said.
Earlier, the Committee Chairman, Senator David Brigidi, urged stakeholders to contribute to the draft bill before it is passed.
He promised fairness and commitment in the discharge of the committee's job, saying "we will not disappoint Nigerians