Ekweremadu faults INEC ban on smart phones

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday faulted the ban on smart phones at polling booths by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ekweremadu, who described the action as unconstitutional and unacceptable, said the move would hamper free flow of information.

The Deputy Senate President stated this during a condolence visit to the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, at his country home in Toru-Orua community in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state on the demise of his mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson.

Read also: 2019: PDP, INEC trade tackles over ban of mobile phones

A statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Ekweremadu to have said the ban runs at variance with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution, which gave room for freedom of communication and expression, as well as freedom of the press, noting that Nigerians are free to express themselves through the media and free speech.

Continuing, Ekweremadu said the National Assembly was again working on the Electoral Act to pave the way for the announcement of results of elections at polling booths, stating that the ban would hamper the free flow of communication, which is necessary to have a free, fair and credible election.

“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,” he said.

 

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