The Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to consider holding the 2023 general elections same day,
Mr Kalu, in a statement signed by him and issued on Thursday, said the move would reduce costs and rigging.
According to him, the Presidential election, National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assembly elections could be held on the same day rather than having staggered dates.
He added that holding 2023 elections the same day will minimise cost, give the electorate the opportunity to vote their genuine choice and protect their votes.
Mr Kalu also cited United States, Ghana and Sierra Leone as countries conducting same-day elections, adding that Nigeria will not be out of place to do the same.
The statement, obtained by The Sun, partly reads: “INEC should conduct the 2023 elections same day as staggered elections are unnecessarily expensive.
“The conduct of the elections on different days gives room for rigging, thuggery and several vices. It also puts the lives of the voters and INEC officials in intense danger.
“When elections are conducted on the same day, popular candidates will emerge because everyone will be busy in their polling units and zones, unlike different days. The cost of running two days elections will also be reduced,” the statement said in part.
