Constitution Review: Christian Body Writes N/Assembly, Demands Devolution of Power, Electronic Voting, Harps on Role for Bank, BVN in Election
Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical (NSCEA) has submitted some memos to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, to the end that there is the need to scrap all Islamic religious products from the 1999 constitution, or add all products from Christianity and other religions in Nigeria or that, the Constitution be completely scrapped and replaced with a new citizens-led constitution. That constitution is not balanced in any ramification for a multi-religious secular state.
The Senate commenced its zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments across the country on 26, and 27 May 2021, months after soliciting suggestions from the public. According to the Secretary General of the Elders Council, NSCEA, Bishop Amb. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, we at NSCEA have worked so tirelessly on this Constitution review since the call for memoranda last year. The requests made in four other presentations are as follows:
MAIN TITLE: ELECTORAL REFORMS AND POWER DEVOLUTION: MAKE ROOM FOR ELECTRONIC VOTING IN NIGERIA THROUGH ATM CARD/BVN
BY
NIGERIAN SUPREME COUNCIL FOR ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS (NSCEA)
INTRODUCTION
There is definitely a need for a Review of the 1999 Constitution in the aspect of ELECTORAL REFORMS AND POWER DEVOLUTION.
We hereby proffer the ATM/BVN ELECTRONIC VOTING solution. ELECTRONIC VOTING VIZ OPERATION NO ATM NO VOTING WOULD BE IDEAL FOR 2023 ELECTION. This is also complaint with COVID-19, TOWARDS AVOIDING CROWD AND TOWARDS THE ENFORCEMENT OF SOCIAL DISTANCING VOTING COMPLIANT METHOD.
OPERATION
Operation No ATM Cards, No votes!
APPLICATION
At all levels of voting from presidential to the lowest level.
RATIONALE
To promote a very strong and viable electoral reforms for the general well being and progress in our nation.
AIMS
To the end that everyone can now vote using their ATM CARDS ONLY, as voters’ card easily, with the use of their BVN Numbers.
REASONS
1. To allow for social distancing, because of COVID-19, no queuing and lining up at polling booths.
2. To enable only financial members of the society above 18 to vote.
3. To discourage children from voting as it is now in some parts of the country, Nigeria.
4. To disallow non-Nigerians from voting as ATM cards are properly issued from banks only.
5. To enable the voting process to be cost effective as voting can only be done through ATM and Online Bank Account Apps.
ADVANTAGES
1. Easy to manage and count the votes
2. No extravagant budgets
3. No ballot snatching
4. No security outfits as police needed
5. No snatching and burning of Ballot Boxes
6. It ensures 1 man, 1 vote
7. No Election officials:
i. No Collation Officers
ii. No Returning Officers
iii. No Armed and military personnel
iv. No Corps Members and other citizens
v. No INEC representatives needed at sight.
METHODOLOGY
To create electronic monitor room / manned by bank managers, ICT Officers / other Managers while Vice Chancellors supervise and announce the results.
DEVOLUTION OF POWER
To be collected through the six (6) geo-political regions to ensure peace, unity and progress.
RECOMMENDATION
We should adopt Operation NO ATM, NO VOTES FOR 2023 ELECTIONS, as an electoral, electronic/ electoral reform to resolve all major issues and riddles associated with electoral process. This should be collected through the Banks the six (6) geo-political regions to ensure peace, unity and progress.
About Author
