Senator Diket Plang, representing Plateau Central Senatorial District, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the amended Electoral Act into law, describing the timing as appropriate and crucial to Nigeria’s electoral process.
Addressing journalists in Jos, the lawmaker said the President’s assent ensures adequate time for implementation before future elections, noting that electoral timelines are legally sensitive.
He dismissed concerns that the President may not have fully reviewed the bill, stressing that the presidency relies on legal advisers, including the Attorney General and relevant experts, to thoroughly scrutinize legislation before assent.
Concerns Over Real-Time Result Transmission
Senator Plang praised the inclusion of electronic transmission of results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing portal (IReV), describing it as a progressive step that enhances transparency.
However, he warned against rigid interpretation of “real-time” transmission, citing connectivity challenges in remote and conflict-prone areas.
According to him, poor network coverage across rural communities could delay uploads, and such delays should not invalidate legitimate results.
He explained that results transmitted to the IReV portal are images of polling unit forms, emphasizing that signed hard copies remain the primary legal record.
Plang recalled that electronic transmission once helped validate his own election victory when a polling unit form was damaged, noting that the uploaded result helped resolve discrepancies during collation.
He added that Nigeria must first achieve reliable nationwide network coverage before enforcing strict real-time transmission requirements.
Electoral Reforms Empower Citizens
The senator also highlighted provisions allowing political parties to adopt direct primaries, which enable all party members to vote for candidates.
He described the reform as a shift of political power to ordinary citizens rather than a select group of delegates.
He further noted that technological innovations such as biometric accreditation and electronic transmission are moving Nigeria’s electoral system closer to global best practices.
Senate Seeks Stronger Security Funding
Speaking on insecurity in Plateau Central and across Nigeria, Plang expressed deep concern over attacks that have claimed civilian lives in parts of the state.
He disclosed that the Senate has called for increased defense funding—now about 10 percent of the national budget—and urged timely release of funds to security agencies to enhance operational effectiveness.
Mining Deaths Spark Safety Concerns
As a member of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Plang also reacted to a recent mining tragedy in Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area, where dozens of miners reportedly died.
He described the deaths as avoidable and called for stricter regulation and safety enforcement in mining operations.
The senator advocated mandatory insurance coverage for miners and urged increased public education on mining safety.
He warned residents against entering mining pits without proper knowledge or safety precautions, stressing that mining activities must be legal, regulated, and guided by safety standards.
“Our responsibility is to ensure economic activities do not come at the cost of human lives,” he said.
Call for Trust and Civic Responsibility
Plang urged Nigerians to build trust in democratic institutions and engage leaders constructively, noting that lawmakers are not permanent officeholders and must enact laws that serve the common good.
He emphasized that electoral reforms and governance decisions should strengthen democracy, enhance transparency, and protect citizens.
The senator reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to improving electoral integrity, strengthening national security, and ensuring safer mining practices across Plateau State and Nigeria.