The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has declared support for the early voting bill introduced by the Senate for military and security personnel deployed during elections.
He made it clear during a meeting with the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central) yesterday in Abuja.
Daily Trust reports that the bill, sponsored by Senator Yar’adua, scaled second reading on the floor of the Senate in March this year.
It seeks to introduce early voting for essential workers, including election officials, security personnel, journalists, and observers.
Recall that Nigerians in this category are often unable to vote on Election Day due to the peculiarity of their duties.
Speaking during the meeting, the COAS said, “The bill is actually long overdue. It is a laudable effort by the senator and we appreciate you; you have all our support for all the bills. As an army, we will support you as much as possible and for the programmes you have highlighted, be sure we will be well represented,” the COAS said.
He said that the job of the army on election day, in collaboration with other security agencies, was to create an enabling environment for Nigerians to exercise their franchise freely.
He also said the army has been doing very well in support of the police and has not had time to exercise its franchise.
The COAS, however, urged those working on the bill to put measures in place to avoid impersonation and to enhance communication among security agencies and other essential workers.
Earlier, Yar’Adua, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, said the meeting aimed to solicit the support of the army for three bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
“The bills are the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, the Armed Forces Trust Fund Amendment Bill and the Armed Forces Act Repeal and Reenactment Bill. I am here basically to seek your support and partnership in the passage of the bills,” he said.
Senator Yar’adua said the bills generally seek to strengthen the army and deepen its democratic participation in the country. He explained that the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was necessary to address the number of eligible Nigerians who are disenfranchised because of essential duties.
“We have close to two million Nigerians who work on election day, from the military, INEC staff, Ad hoc staff, NYSC corps members, security agents, journalists and election observers.
“To allow early voting for military personnel, it is not only a matter of fairness, it is a necessary step to restore confidence, engage young Nigerians and uphold the principle that says those who defend our democracy should not be excluded from it. I wish to encourage the Nigerian Army to collaborate with INEC in identifying eligible personnel to vote,” Yar’adua added.
