E-Transmission: Group Seeks Visa Ban On Senators

*Writes United States

A pro-democracy group, Democracy Vanguard of Nigeria in Diaspora
(DVND) has written a letter to the United States of America,
seeking a Visa ban on Senators who voted against electronic
transmission of results.

Considering the report of the Committee led by Senator Kabiru
Gaya on the Independent National Electoral Commission on the
Electoral Act 2016 ( Amendment) Bill, 2021 last Thursday, 52
Senators had voted No in favour of the amendment, which mandated
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to seek the
approval of the Nigeria Communications Commission before it could
transmit the result of elections electronic.

While 28 votes Yes for the retention of the original clause
recommended by Senator Gaya’s Committee, 28 were absent.

The amended Clause 52 (3) reads: “The Commission may consider
the electronic transmission of results provided the national
network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secured by the
National Communications Commission.”

The DVND in a letter by its President, Timothy Sule, addressed
to the United States Ambassador in Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, is
demanding for Visa ban on the Senators who voted in support of the
amendment to the original clause in the Bill and the 28 who were
absent.

They further called on President Muhammadu Buhari “to withhold
assent on any electoral act bill that failed to incorporate
electronic voting, order of elections to start with Governorship’s
and State Assemblies and then Presidential and National
Assemblies.

The group argued that by altering the provision for electronic
transmission of results, the lawmakers acted in bad faith, inimical
to the growth of democracy in the country.

“We call on the United States, the United Kingdom, the European
Union, Canada, African Union and all ally countries to take urgent
actions to nip this brewing conflagration in the bud before it
consumes the nation and creates a massive refugee crisis in the
world.

“In the meantime, we have attached names of all those
legislators who played one role or the other in the suppression and
undermining democracy in Nigeria for a visa ban. Their family
members shall not be spared of the impending visa ban as well.

“In closing, we at Democracy Vanguard of Nigeria in Diaspora
(DVND) are willing to be of assistance where applicable to help
realize our request for the protection of democratic norms and the
sanctity of all electoral processes in Nigeria.”

While condemning the development, the group said: “We condemn in
strong terms those who are bent on seeing Nigeria on her kneels
through the façade of an election process that is characterized by
manipulations and mishandlings by those who should be the true
custodians of the process.

“We would like to commend the very few progressive opposition
legislators in the Senate and the House of Representatives as led
by Senator Ehinanya Abaribe and Ndidi Elumelu respectively who
stood for Nigeria when the occasion demanded.

“Those who exempted themselves from the chambers without a valid
reason are equally reprimanded and condemned. Those who were
conspicuously absent are no better than those who shot the
amendment down with their selfish and insensitive agenda. Nigerians
now know the true enemies of your great country and at the
appropriate time, they will receive in equal measures.”

Others copied in the letter dated July 18, 2021, include: United
States Secretary of State, Secretary Anthony J. Blinken; Acting
Assistant Secretary Ambassador Robert F. Godec and Deputy Assistant
Secretary Akunna E. Cook.

*Writes United States

A pro-democracy group, Democracy Vanguard of Nigeria in Diaspora
(DVND) has written a letter to the United States of America,
seeking a Visa ban on Senators who voted against electronic
transmission of results.

Considering the report of the Committee led by Senator Kabiru
Gaya on the Independent National Electoral Commission on the
Electoral Act 2016 ( Amendment) Bill, 2021 last Thursday, 52
Senators had voted No in favour of the amendment, which mandated
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to seek the
approval of the Nigeria Communications Commission before it could
transmit the result of elections electronic.

While 28 votes Yes for the retention of the original clause
recommended by Senator Gaya’s Committee, 28 were absent.

The amended Clause 52 (3) reads: “The Commission may consider
the electronic transmission of results provided the national
network coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secured by the
National Communications Commission.”

The DVND in a letter by its President, Timothy Sule, addressed
to the United States Ambassador in Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, is
demanding for Visa ban on the Senators who voted in support of the
amendment to the original clause in the Bill and the 28 who were
absent.

They further called on President Muhammadu Buhari “to withhold
assent on any electoral act bill that failed to incorporate
electronic voting, order of elections to start with Governorship’s
and State Assemblies and then Presidential and National
Assemblies.

The group argued that by altering the provision for electronic
transmission of results, the lawmakers acted in bad faith, inimical
to the growth of democracy in the country.

“We call on the United States, the United Kingdom, the European
Union, Canada, African Union and all ally countries to take urgent
actions to nip this brewing conflagration in the bud before it
consumes the nation and creates a massive refugee crisis in the
world.

“In the meantime, we have attached names of all those
legislators who played one role or the other in the suppression and
undermining democracy in Nigeria for a visa ban. Their family
members shall not be spared of the impending visa ban as well.

“In closing, we at Democracy Vanguard of Nigeria in Diaspora
(DVND) are willing to be of assistance where applicable to help
realize our request for the protection of democratic norms and the
sanctity of all electoral processes in Nigeria.”

While condemning the development, the group said: “We condemn in
strong terms those who are bent on seeing Nigeria on her kneels
through the façade of an election process that is characterized by
manipulations and mishandlings by those who should be the true
custodians of the process.

“We would like to commend the very few progressive opposition
legislators in the Senate and the House of Representatives as led
by Senator Ehinanya Abaribe and Ndidi Elumelu respectively who
stood for Nigeria when the occasion demanded.

“Those who exempted themselves from the chambers without a valid
reason are equally reprimanded and condemned. Those who were
conspicuously absent are no better than those who shot the
amendment down with their selfish and insensitive agenda. Nigerians
now know the true enemies of your great country and at the
appropriate time, they will receive in equal measures.”

Others copied in the letter dated July 18, 2021, include: United
States Secretary of State, Secretary Anthony J. Blinken; Acting
Assistant Secretary Ambassador Robert F. Godec and Deputy Assistant
Secretary Akunna E. Cook.