Edo guber election: Why we must change Electoral Act — Edo Senator, Imasuen

By Elvis Omoregie, Benin

Senator representing Edo South senatorial district in the 10th Senate, Senator Neda Imasuen, has called for the complete overhauling of the nation’s electoral law to avoid ambiguity and strengthen its democratic process.

He made the call during a media chat with journalists in Benin City, the State capital,  while responding to questions on the Senate’s recent retreat on electoral reforms and the affirmation of his election victory at the Court of Appeal.

Senator Neda said the conflicting and ambiguous section of the electoral law has to be looked into, citing section 84 (2), mentioning cases where the BVAS is being used in some areas and not allowed in other areas.

He stated that a situation whereby the electoral law allows the INEC to use the BVAS in some instances, that same electoral act also gave INEC a leeway not to use it in certain circumstances, adding that this is unacceptable to many Nigerians.

 He said it therefore means it is discretional and the essence of discretion is always very dangerous, especially when it is not used for the purpose that discretion was given.

According to him, “You can imagine in one election, which is the 2023 February election, the federal election where you have the House of Reps, the Senate and the President election, in this same day, this same hour, this same second and they were all counted this same day, hour and secondly, yet BVAS was able to transmit those of the Senate and House of Reps, but for whatever reasons couldn’t transmit that of the presidency.

“And their reason for not doing so is not acceptable to Nigerians not even the Senators or the National Assembly as a whole and to Nigerians, it was totally unacceptable.

“We have come to realise the reason for that and that is the loophole and the ambiguity in that Act.

“So, we have to walk round the clock to change it and I believe the Senate I belong to, we have all agreed in that regard because today, it may work in your favour, tomorrow it may not,” Imasuen said.

Reacting to the appeal court judgement, the Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, expressed deep appreciation to his constituency for their immense support during the electioneering period and for standing with him at the test of his election in the Court.

He said the support from his constituency is an attestation of the people’s belief in him and his ability to provide quality representation for them at the Senate, a trust he promised not to misplace.

Imasuen who was quick to appreciate his political opponents for subjecting his victory to judicial trial, extended an olive branch to them to join in the task of improving the socio-economic fortunes of Edo South Senatorial District.

The Senator said with the affirmation of his victory, he is now more determined to ensure the attraction of Federal Government’s presence to his constituency and sued for more cooperation from the people.