The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ensuring a transparent process on the moves by some constituents to recall the suspended Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.

Chairman of TMG, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, gave the commendation at a news conference on Monday on Abuja.

Rafsanjani particularly praised the commission for the way and manner it counted the signatures collected from Kogi Central Senatorial District being represented by Akpoti-Uduaghan in the senate.

“TMG is satisfied with the conduct of INEC, its dedication and commitment to a transparent process which upholds constitutionalism and due process.

“This is a clear demonstration of the functionality of democracy, when democratic institutions uphold the rule of law rather than becoming tools for the alignment of political interests of a few people in power,” he said.

Rafsanjani urged the senate to recognise the huge gender imbalance in the upper legislative chamber and continue to present itself as an institution that encourages more women participation in politics

According to him, recalling a lawmaker is predicated on misrepresentation, under-performance and misconduct, not a tool for politicians to wield at will.

He called on INEC to verify and authenticate the Voter Identification Number (VIN) used to carry out Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall process through BVAS.

Rafsanjani claimed that personal data of citizens of Kogi Central senatorial district were harvested and used without their consent, saying this was against the provisions of Data Protection Act

He, therefore, called on National Data Protection Commission to carry out necessary investigation on this to assure Nigerians that their personal data would be protected as envisaged by the law.

“Where investigations reveal a fraudulent process, the petitioners must be brought to justice to serve as deterrent to those who will be willing to be induced and used by politicians for this kind of charade in the future,” he said. (NAN)