The Peoples Democratic Party has slammed the Senate for rejecting the electronic transmission of election results, describing the move as shameful and harmful to transparent and credible elections.
The Nigerian Senate had on Wednesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal & Enactment) Bill, 2026, while rejecting a proposed amendment to make electronic transmission of election results compulsory.
The electoral bill was passed after consideration and approval of the 155 clauses, with amendments made to many of them, with the majority retained as proposed.
In a Wednesday night statement by its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the PDP chastised lawmakers for rejecting the electronic transmission bill.
“Today, after an intentional and protracted delay, the Senate, while passing the amendment to the Electoral Act, rejected the electronic transmission of results at the polling units. This rejection is most shameful and unfortunate, attracting condemnation from all democratic-minded persons.
“It is common knowledge that the majority of Nigerians all across the 109 senatorial districts desire electoral sanctity, which is better guaranteed through the electronic transmission of votes from the polling units,” the statement said.
According to the opposition party, Nigerians have witnessed widespread alteration of results before they reach the collation centre or at the collation centre.
“This electronic transmission would have brought an end to this ignoble practice that has been deployed by politicians to win elections against the wishes of the people expressed through the ballot,” it added.
It further noted that the rejection of electronic transmission of election results by the Senate was “a clear indication that the National Assembly is not willing or ready to legislate for electoral sanctity and democratic consolidation”.
The PDP called on the National Assembly to reconsider its stand on the matter and take steps to pass the amendment approving the electronic transmission of results.
“This is the minimum amendment that can increase faith in the electoral process, without which the apathy will be worse than the last general election, which is greatly unhelpful to democracy,” the party said.
