The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called on Nigerians to use the opportunity provided by ongoing constitutional review and amendments exercise to demand for electoral reform that will aid in deepening use of technology, strengthen political parties and improving voting process.
The Chairman of IPAC, Dr Leonard Nzenwa who stated this in Abuja on Wednesday urged the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make use of technology to improve on the card reader and it’s authentication to ensure that e-voting is made a reality in Nigeria.
He said IPAC supports all democratic enhancing contributions made by myriads of stakeholders in the past and recently towards reforming our electoral system and processes.
According to him, the use of the Zip with Z-File , a tablet with a camera , which at the end of voting and sorting out of ballots would help a great deal in promoting transparency and credibility in the Edo polls.
On the upcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections, Leonard urged them to ensure that their votes count and their preferred candidate is announced.
He said it is only in so doing that they can truly say that forces that have promoted election rigging, ballot snatching and result manipulation are being finally disgraced and buried.
On the state of the economy, he expressed concern stating that the efforts seem not to be cutting the ice as key economic indicators clearly shows that the country is still in the woods.
“Non -oil sector shrank with negative growth in accommodation and food services, real estate among others.
“We seem headed back to recession after struggling to climb out of it after the last one that almost grounded the country.
“Our inclement economy has resulted in massive government borrowing which we fear may not be directed squarely on capital projects, even though it states so in paper,” he said.
