“Every new idea would have its challenges. Thus, no attempt to thwart this process will see us discarding what we consider a good development for the bar. We are bent on seeing that the system works and is sustained. I have a pact with the association to deliver good elections and this I must do.
“It is instructive to note that other professional associations have been using e-voting for years. We are the to take advantage of what is available to us technologically. We cannot tie ourselves to the past when we have technological developments.
“The concept of branch voting negates the essence of e-voting.
So far, some branches have not adhered to the association’s constitutional provisions on payment of dues and practicing fees which qualifies a lawyer to vote.
“We asked the bank to give us the list of those who have paid practicing fees by March 31st, 2016. The constitution says lawyers must pay bar practicing fees and branch dues before they can vote. Branch chairmen were asked to send list of those who have paid practicing fees along with statements of account, but some resisted it.
“The constitution provides that all monies due to the branches must be paid into the branch account. A lot of branches do not have bank statements to back up the list they sent, hence the non-appearance of certain names on the list of accredited voters.
FINAL NOTE TO MEMBERS
“The energy dissipated in criticising the system should be channeled into sensitising lawyers to update their details online. As far as I am concerned, we have done our best and no amount of threat will make us do otherwise. We have been elastic in this process.
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