The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Kalu, says he believed in the process of electronic transmission of election results for its transparency.
The former Abia State Governor now Senator representing Abia North Senatorial district made the statement while speaking to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN – on Sunday in Abuja.
Senator Kalu said contrary to what media reported on his stance on the electronic transmission of election, which was debated on the floor of the National Assembly, Kalu said Nigeria requires 95 percent of national network coverage to enable such process.
The senator insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission should be compelled to seek clearance from the Nigeria Communications Commission, while the National Assembly would have to approve the verdict of NCC.
Kalu insisted that the current network coverage was inadequate.
“I have never been against e-transmission of results; I only said we don’t have adequate coverage where we live, this is the issue.
“We have coverage, but it is not adequate.
“Like Abia North Senatorial District where I come from, there is no adequate coverage, may be 43 per cent coverage. So, how are we going to do that?
“I believe in electronic transmission, but I want to quickly urge the NCC to deploy their technology to ensure wider coverage; I believe in that process because it is transparent.
“I don’t want to listen to officials who want to buy equipment and make commissions. I am telling myself the truth. If we even have a coverage of 95 percent, it will be okay, but we have below 50 per cent in the entire country.
“I am not talking about my constituency.
“It wasn’t a party decision to vote against e-transmission and not a clique decision, it was out of my conscience.
“I can only do what I will do that will benefit all Nigerians,” Kalu said.
