By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Major opposition political parties have jointly condemned the Senate’s rejection of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units, describing the decision as retrogressive and a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.
In a joint press statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Bamofin Ladipo Johnson of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the parties expressed dismay over the passage of the amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 by the Senate, which excluded provisions making electronic transmission of results compulsory.
According to the opposition parties, the Senate’s decision has grave implications for the country’s democracy and could undermine public confidence in the electoral process. They argued that the move represents a setback to years of democratic struggle and reforms aimed at ensuring transparency and credibility in elections.
“The implications of this anti-people and anti-democratic action are grave and capable of derailing our hard-earned democracy,” the statement said, adding that the decision has already attracted widespread condemnation from Nigerians across political, ethnic, and social divides.
The parties questioned the rationale behind the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission, particularly at a time when technology is increasingly being adopted in governance and political party administration. They noted what they described as a contradiction in the posture of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which they said is currently deploying technology for electronic registration of party members nationwide, yet appears unwilling to embrace similar technology for election result transmission.
The opposition parties accused the APC, which controls both chambers of the National Assembly, of acting out of fear of electoral defeat. They claimed that the ruling party is aware of growing public dissatisfaction and is therefore reluctant to support reforms that would guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections.
“They know Nigerians are fed up with them and are aware of the rejection that awaits them at the polls,” the statement alleged. “A free and fair election has therefore become a threat, hence the desire to preserve loopholes that can aid manipulation of the electoral process.”
Beyond party politics, the opposition groups said they expected senators, regardless of affiliation, to rise above partisan considerations and act in the best interest of democracy. They described the legislature as a critical symbol of democratic governance and accused senators of failing the electorate that entrusted them with legislative power.
The statement also referenced past judicial decisions, particularly rulings of the Supreme Court, which held that electronic transmission of results was not mandatory under the existing Electoral Act 2022. According to the opposition parties, those judgments exposed a legislative gap that required urgent correction to prevent future electoral disputes and controversies.
They argued that making electronic transmission mandatory would not only provide a clear legal basis for judicial decisions but would also enhance transparency, build public trust, and strengthen confidence in the electoral system. “With this rejection, the Senate has returned Nigeria to square one,” the statement said.
The opposition parties further noted that failure to address the issue could worsen voter apathy, undermine democratic participation, and weaken the legitimacy of future elections.
Attention was also drawn to the role of the conference committee of the National Assembly, which is expected to harmonise the versions of the Electoral Act amendment passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The parties urged members of the committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ position, which supports mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results.
They appealed to the lawmakers to act as statesmen rather than politicians focused solely on upcoming elections, stressing the need to prioritise the interests of future generations and the long-term stability of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The ball is now in the court of the conference committee,” the statement said. “We urge its members to align themselves with the Nigerian people to forestall the negative consequences of foisting anti-democratic laws on the country.”
