…And respect to their rights online
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for the protection of citizen’s data, privacy and respect to their rights online.
Ali Sabo, the Digital Rights Officer, CITAD, made the call at a press conference on Thursday in Kano.
Sabo noted that the press conference was organized to draw the attention of of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its sisters government agencies such as National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, National Human Rights Commission and all the security agencies in the country to ensure the protection of citizens data, privacy and respect of their rights online during and after the 2023 general elections.
He said,”I would like to on behalf of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) welcome you to this important press conference being organized to draw the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its sisters government agencies such as National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, National Human Rights Commission and all the security agencies in the country to ensure the protection of citizens data, privacy and respect of their rights online during and after the 2023 general elections.
“It is important to note that the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms has clearly spelled out that the freedom and privacy of individual online is of upmost importance and must be protected. These rights correspond to the fundamental rights provided in the Declaration on Human Rights as Freedom of Expression, Right to Information, Freedom of Assembly and Association as well as the right to personal privacy and dignity. The UN has recognized the right to Internet as fourth generation rights.
“The right to Internet as means to access these offline rights has at its core the issues of Privacy and Personal Data Protection. Any breach of the above is a negation to Nigerian commitment to Human Rights as well as other international covenants on human rights, including the African Charter and Peoples and Human Rights.”
Sabo recalled that in the month of March before the presidential and national assembly elections, they held similar press conference were we drew the attention of the INEC and its sisters government agencies on the need to ensure the protection of the citizens data and privacy.
“Similarly, in the same month we called the attention of the Nigerian Police Force against the arbitrary arrest of citizens on the order of some overzealous politicians who misused their offices to trample on the fundamental human rights of the citizens. It is a well-known fact that “criticism is part and parcel of any democracy and it is one of the cardinal pillars through which democracy is being build”, but governments in Nigeria on many occasions, have displayed arrogance, impunity and lack of tolerance where at any slight instance they have ordered the arrest of the citizens for excising their fundamental human rights of expressing their opinions.
“If you could recall, in presidential and national assembly elections which is being held on the 25th of February, 2023 sad incidences happened in some part of the country, where reported cases of intimidation, harassment and malfunctioning of elections materials such as Biomodal Accreditation System (BVAS) were recorded.
“This month’s press conference is necessary at this time looking at what has happened in the presidential and national assembly elections. It is imperative for us as an organization working on the area of upholding electoral integrity, human rights and digital rights in Nigeria to draw the attention of all the stakeholders, especially security agencies and those who have citizens’ data in their custody, on the importance of protecting and safeguarding the rights of the Nigerian citizens, both online and offline and ensuring that their data is safe and not be misused or tempered with.
“This call is necessary because there is genuine information as we indicated in the previous press conference that government agencies have purchased surveillance systems to track and monitor people, most especially activists, journalists, opponents and those they consider threat to their interests. As Civil Society actors we consider this as a threat to not only the fundamental human rights of the citizens but to our democracy as this exposes citizens to privacy abuse,” he said.
He pointed out that it was important to emphasize the need for respecting the privacy of individuals and ensuring that their data is being kept in a safer place and not allow third person to have access to it.
“Consequently, we would like to call the attention of the following stakeholders to as a matter of public interest and upholding electoral integrity in the country to: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the protection and confidentiality of the people’s mandate and not allow anybody to temper with it.
“INEC to ensure that all the election electronic materials such BVAS are in good condition in order to avoid what happened in the presidential and national assembly election.
“INEC to ensure the early delivery of election materials to polling units across the country
“INEC should ensure all election results are being uploaded to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) as stipulated in the 2022 Electoral Act
“The Nigeria Police Force to desist from being used by politicians to intimidate voters, journalists and election observers during the election,” he said.
Sabo said the National Information Technology Development Agency, Nigeria Communications Commission, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, National Identity Management Commission, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy should not allow themselves to be used or transmit citizens data to a third person for any reason unless this request is by a competent court.
“Also, we are calling on the security agency to ensure the protection of election infrastructure as well as telecommunication infrastructure in order to have smooth transmission of election results without any compromise in the country,” Sabo stressed.
