Neda Imasuen: Ramadan Or Lent Shouldn’t Delay Nigerian Elections

By Reporter

Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District has reminded Nigerians that voting is a civic responsibility, and urged Nigerians to set aside religious scheduling conflicts.

Senator Imasuen emphasised that Nigerians must focus on their civic responsibilities rather than letting religious observances interfere with electoral processes.

He stated this in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, he had to address questions over potential clashes between election dates and religious events such as Ramadan and Lent, stressing that such concerns should not dictate the national election calendar.

“My honest answer to that is it shouldn’t be a consideration at all.

“This ought to be something very usual. In other countries that I’m familiar with, you get ready to go to work on election day, go to your vote and go back to work. Or come back when you’re on break from work, vote and go back to work. Or come on your way back from work, vote and then go home.

“Yes, the Muslims have remanded. The Christians as well. Ash Wednesday starts tomorrow. The season of Lent also starts. How we’re going to reconcile on this is yet to be seen. Hopefully, it will also be one of those conversations that we have today in the Senate, My honest answer to that is it shouldn’t be a consideration at all.

Unfortunately, the way we take elections in this country is such that it becomes something unusual. It ought to be something very usual. In other countries that I’m familiar with, you get ready to go to work on election day, go to your vote and go back to work.”

Imasuen highlighted the importance of changing societal attitudes toward elections, advocating for civic education beginning from primary school through high school. “All of us, we need to change our mindset. We need to understand that this is a civic responsibility that all of us hold in the country. To vote and live.”

He also defended the electronic transmission of election results.

“Transmission of the results fails as a result of communication failure, and it becomes impossible to transmit the results electronically, the signed and stamped from EC8A by the presiding officer and countersigned by the candidates or polling agents where available shall in such a case be the primary source of collation and declaration of results.”

Imasuen urged the public and institutions to ensure smooth electoral processes, emphasising that technical glitches should not undermine Nigeria’s democratic system. “INEC can do better by making sure that we have the material on time. We also can do better by behaving ourselves very well on election day so that it becomes seamless.”

On the broader need for reform, he stated, “We must begin to teach civic education. We must begin to take civic responsibility.

If we wait until they become adults, that will begin to change them at that point. It will become very difficult. In most countries, you notice that attitude starts from elementary school. They’re already telling them who they are, what the country owes them.”

Imasuen concluded by stressing that the electoral amendment does not remove electronic transmission of results. “We must begin to teach civic education, we must begin to take civic responsibility. If we wait until they become adults, that will begin to change them at that point, It will become very difficult.In most countries, you notice that attitude starts from elementary school. They’re already telling them who they are, what the country owes them.”