NBA Electoral Umpire Scraps CHAMS Verification, Engages New ICT Partner
The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has agreed to scrap the recent verification exercise for its 2018 General Elections, as carried out by an electronic consultant, CHAMS Plc, and start on a clean slate.
It is understood that this was one of the outcomes of the meeting held on Monday between the committee, representatives of the presidential candidates and their ICT consultants at the NBA Headquarters in Abuja. This decision has altered the timetable earlier released by the electoral umpire where it had restated its intention towards the CHAMS register as follows: “The cleaning up of the voters’ register of the aspirants, with the inputs of technical advisers, will take place on Tuesday, 24th July, and Wednesday, 25 July, 2018.”
It is yet to be seen whether this action will entail another rejigging of the time-table.
According to reports reaching NEWSWIRE, the committee has appointed CrenetTech Labs Limited as its ICT Partner for the new verification exercise scheduled to hold on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
A representative of one of the presidential candidates expressed joy at the change. “ECNBA has agreed to the scrapping of everything that was done by CHAMS relating to the verification. The basis of Crenet’s verification exercise will be the list of eligible previously voters sent by the Branches to ECNBA. Other areas of weaknesses in the first exercise will be remedied.With the elimination of CHAM’S role in this regard, one can say there is a level playing field going forward.”
It would be recalled that the ECNBA has released a modified time-table for the NBA National Officers Election, declaring that it would appoint an ICT Partner for the verification exercise.
Dated July 23, 2018 the statement signed by ECNBA Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Agoro read: “Following consultations with the NBA Executive, Bar leaders, aspirants and stakeholders on the 2018 national officers’ election, it has become necessary that the dates for the elections earlier scheduled to hold between Friday 27th and Saturday 28th July 2018 be adjusted to accommodate the valued inputs and resolutions arrived at the said consultations held on 19th and 20th July, 2018.
“For effective checks and balances and credibility of the election, the electoral processes of pre-election, election and post-election shall be disaggregated and handled by separate entities.
“To this end, the ECNBA hereby issues an amended timetable as follows:
- Appointment of a new service provider to carry out the verification of voters exercise will take place on Monday, 23rd July, 2018.
- Cleaning up of voters register with the inputs of technical advisers of the aspirants will take place on Tuesday, 24 and Wednesday, 25 July, 2018.
- Verification and data upgrade of voters shall take place on Thursday 26th, Friday 27th and Saturday 28th July, 2018.
- Accreditation of voters will take place between 10:00 hour of Sunday 29th to 10:00 hour of Monday 30th July, 2018.
- Voting will take place between 11:59am on Monday, 30th and end at the hour of 11:59am on Tuesday 31st July, 2018.
- Announcement of elections results shall be on Tuesday, 31st July, 2018 after the final collation of votes cast.
- The Committee shall come up with the modalities for the verification and accreditation procedures later.
“Meanwhile, members are advised in their own interest not to attempt to verify the data of another as the ECNBA is collating the names and particulars of those who made such despicable attempts during the aborted exercise. Voters are warned that any attempt to impersonate another will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Such names will also be forwarded to the Disciplinary Committee of the NBA for appropriate sanctions.
“The ECNBA is committed to delivering free, fair, credible and transparent elections. We also solicit for the cooperation of our colleagues in this regard.”
Reacting to the vexed question of cross-directorships between the chairman of CHAMS Plc and one of the presidential candidates, the AB Mahmoud-led NBA took far-reaching decisions to secure the integrity of the ballot, leading significantly to a disaggregation of the electoral process and the service providers. This has gone a long way to boost confidence in the integrity of the electoral process among the candidates.
Do you need to be heard? Or your articles published? Send your views, messages, articles or press release to: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk >>> We can cover your (LAW) events at the first Call: 08039218044, 08024004726
-Advertisement-
Grab our latest Magazine, "Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, A man of wide horizons and deep intentions". Get your order fast and stress free.
For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did
