CSOs Protest at N’Assembly, Demand INEC Independence, Inclusion of E-voting in Electoral Act

By Udora Orizu

A Coalition of CSOs under the aegis of Alliance of Civil Society Organizations for Expression of Electoral and Democratic Space, has stormed the National Assembly, protesting exclusion of some provisions, such as electronic voting, financial autonomy for INEC, and protection of people with disabilities, in the new Electoral Act.

The aggrieved protesters were armed with placards, with inscriptions such as, “SaveOurElections #NigeriansDeserveFreeAndFairElection and so on.

The concerns raised by the CSOs followed the sudden emergence of a strange Section 50(2) in the new draft of the Bill, which completely outlaws transmission of votes by electronic means.

The Bill is expected to be passed this week by both Chambers of the National Assembly.

Details later….