Lawan suggests open voting to elect incoming leadership of 9th NASS

As the race to occupy juicy positions in the incoming Ninth National Assembly hots up, Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan, has suggested that open voting is a parliamentary global best practice which should be adopted in electing presiding officers.

Lawan revealed that much in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reacting to calls by some groups, insisting on secret voting to elect presiding officers of the Ninth NASS.

According to him, there was nothing contentious in deciding to conduct an open vote as he believes that it is one straight issue that nobody will contest should it come up.

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He said; “In fact, parliamentarians normally do open voting in all legislative polls. It is a global best practice that open voting is adopted.

“So, I do not think it is a contentious issue; for people to say they will go for secret voting, it is not parliamentary. I believe that it is one straight issue that nobody will contest should it come up. The parliament is normally supposed to be the most transparent institution where every opinion, idea or vote is public.”

He also pointed out that people are always interested in knowing their constituents’ stance on issues.

“When there is a motion or bill when you contribute, you do not write and throw your view into a box. “You stand up, say your name, where you are from, who you represent and where you stand on an issue.’’

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