Major opposition political parties in Nigeria have jointly condemned the Senate’s decision to reject a proposal seeking to make real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units mandatory in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act 2022.
In a press statement jointly signed by spokespersons of the opposition parties, the parties described the Senate’s action as retrogressive, anti-people and anti-democratic, warning that it poses grave implications for Nigeria’s democracy.
The statement was signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, National Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Bamofin Ladipo Johnson, National Publicity Secretary, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
According to the statement, the opposition parties said the decision by the APC-led Senate could set Nigeria’s democratic process back by several decades, noting that it has rightly attracted widespread opposition and condemnation from Nigerians across political, ethnic and social divides.
They expressed confusion over what they described as the ruling party’s contradictory posture, questioning why a party that is currently deploying technology for nationwide electronic registration of its members would oppose the use of technology for the electronic transmission of election results.
The opposition parties accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls both chambers of the National Assembly, of deliberately seeking to preserve loopholes that could enable the manipulation of the electoral process.
“They know Nigerians are fed up with them and are aware of the rejection that awaits them at the forthcoming polls,” the statement said, adding that a free and fair election has become a threat to the ruling party.
The parties also faulted senators for failing to rise above partisan interests, stressing that regardless of party affiliation, lawmakers ought to act in the best interest of democracy, which the legislature symbolises.
Recalling recent judicial pronouncements, the opposition noted that courts, including the Supreme Court, had ruled during the last election cycle that electronic transmission of results was not mandatory under the existing Electoral Act 2022, thereby exposing a legislative gap that urgently required correction.
They argued that making electronic transmission mandatory would not only provide clarity for judicial interpretation in future election disputes but would also enhance transparency, trust and public confidence in the electoral process, ultimately strengthening democracy.
“With this rejection, the Senate has returned Nigeria to square one,” the statement added.
The opposition parties said the responsibility now lies with the conference committee harmonising the positions of the Senate and the House of Representatives, urging its members to adopt the House’s position in favour of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results.
They called on members of the committee to act as statesmen rather than politicians focused solely on upcoming elections, warning that the imposition of what they termed anti-democratic laws could have far-reaching negative consequences for the country.
The parties expressed hope that the committee would act in the best interest of Nigerians and safeguard the future of the nation’s democracy.
