It is unconstitutional to subject our rights to NCC – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come out to say that it can transmit election results electronically without consulting the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

This was made known by Okechukwu Ibeanu, the Chairman, electoral operations and logistics committee (EOLC) of the commission while speaking with Journalists.

Ibeanu said the national assembly’s decision to subject its constitutional power to conduct elections to the NCC was absolutely unconstitutional.

He said “That is absolutely unconstitutional. You cannot ask INEC to seek the approval of another agency of government to transmit results electronically when actually INEC has the power to impose duties on NCC to achieve electronic transmission of results.”

“I completely agree that in the context of underscoring the independence of the commission, section 160 of the constitution has done everything it needs to do. What is left is for INEC to use the power it has under the constitution to achieve its aim.”

You would recall that, the Senate had directed that INEC should seek the approval of the NCC before going on to transmit results electronically.

The Senate had further directed that the NCC must certify that national coverage is adequate and secure, while the National Assembly must grant approval before INEC can transmit election results electronically.