Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday said the National Assembly is amending the Electoral Act to provide for the announcement of results at polling booths.
The senator faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ban the use of smart phones at polling units, saying the move is unconstitutional and unacceptable.
Ekweremadu spoke during a condolence visit to Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson at his country home in Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area, on the death of his 72-year-old mother, Mrs. Goldcoast.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Ekweremadu as saying any ban on smart phones would suppress freedom of the press and communication, as enshrined in the constitution.
He said: “Nigeria must take full advantage of technology as it could not afford to lag behind, especially in the bid to ensure citizens’ participation through recording of results and the electoral processes.”
Ekweremadu said the international observers would need their smart phones and other media devices to record and send back information to their home countries.
The senator urged the electoral umpire to revisit the decision.
He added: “On the issue of INEC’s ban on smartphones at polling booths, that is completely unconstitutional because we have provisions in the Constitution that make room for freedom of communication, expression and even freedom of the press. That is what this ban is trying to abridge.