The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that technology was transparently deployed to increase the people’s confidence in the electoral process.

The bishops said as the 2023 general elections draw closer, measures must be taken to ensure a hitch-free election nationwide.

“As laudable as the Electoral Bill signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari may be, INEC needs to implement it transparently,” they said.

This is contained in a communique signed by the president and secretary, CBCN, Lucius Ugorji of Owerri and Donatus Ogun of Uromi Dioceses, respectively, at the end of the bishops’ second plenary meeting for 2022 held in Orlu, Imo.

“We acknowledge the president’s commitment to ensuring a level playing ground for all election candidates.

“Furthermore, we commend INEC for its innovations, especially in the area of technology, to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“We, however, enjoin the commission to ensure that this technology is transparently deployed to increase the confidence of the people in the electoral process,” they said.

The bishops, who also described “as unlawful and sinful all forms of vote-selling and buying”, advised politicians and voters to refrain from such heinous acts.

They further described the protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) since February 14, 2022, as unacceptable.

They urged the federal government and ASUU to find a quicker and better way of resolving the matters under contention.

This, according to the bishops, is to ensure that public universities reopen, saying “resorting to courts may not be the best and fastest way to solve the problem.” 

(NAN)