The lawmaker representing Abia South, has stated that the major issue plaguing Nigeria’s electoral system is not the technological framework but the way the judiciary interprets electoral laws.
Speaking on Monday during a public review of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) technological innovations from 2015 to 2025, organised by the Anthena Centre in Abuja, Abaribe argued that the judiciary has failed to keep up with the pace of electoral reforms introduced by INEC.
“I don’t think that there is anyone who is against innovation that will improve the process. If there’s anyone, not Enyinnaya Abaribe,” he said.
“I am actually a beneficiary of the new INEC process of direct transmission of results. The key issue we need to look at — and most people are not paying attention — is that our judicial processes are years behind the innovations we are implementing,” he added.
The senator expressed concern that INEC’s guidelines, which he believes should be regarded as part of the electoral legal framework, are frequently disregarded by the courts.
