Elections will continue to be a sham until we amend electoral act, says senator

Istifanus Gyang, senator representing Plateau north, says Nigeria’s elections will not be credible until the electoral act is amended.

Gyang spoke on Monday in Jos, Plateau state capital, while addressing journalists on his mid-term report in the national assembly.

According to the lawmaker, the electoral act currently in use is outdated and does not take into consideration the current realities.

“Until we have an electoral act with the necessary amendments, our elections will continue to be a sham,” he said.

“I am a member of the senate committee on INEC, and I must tell you that we have done a lot of work on the necessary amendments.

“I am the one who sponsored the bill providing for the amendment of the electoral act.

“The national assembly must pass an electoral act amendment bill that makes provision for electronic transmission of results from voting points.

“If there is no electronic transfer, there is going to be tempering with the outcome of elections.”

Gyang said the senate would face the passage of the electoral act amendment bill when lawmakers return from their two-week recess.

The senator expressed optimism that once the act is reviewed and eventually passed, it would be assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.