Opposition parties fault Senate over rejection of mandatory electronic transmission

Major opposition political parties have jointly criticised the Senate over its decision to reject a proposal seeking to make real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units mandatory.

In a joint press statement issued on Wednesday, the parties said the Senate’s passage of amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, which excluded mandatory electronic transmission of results, posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic progress.

The statement, signed by the National Publicity Secretaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), described the Senate’s action as anti-people and anti-democratic, warning that it could set the country’s democracy back by decades.

The opposition parties expressed concern that the decision was taken by an APC-led Senate, arguing that it was contradictory for a ruling party that relies heavily on technology for internal processes, such as electronic membership registration, to oppose the use of technology in transmitting election results.

They alleged that the rejection was deliberate and politically motivated, claiming it was aimed at preserving loopholes that could enable manipulation of the electoral process. According to them, a free and fair electoral system represents a threat to politicians who are aware of growing public dissatisfaction and the possibility of rejection at the polls.

The parties further criticised lawmakers for failing to rise above partisan interests, stating that senators ought to act in the best interest of democracy and the citizens they represent, regardless of party affiliation.

Referring to recent judicial pronouncements, the opposition noted that courts, including the Supreme Court, had previously ruled that electronic transmission of results could not be enforced because it was not explicitly provided for in the Electoral Act 2022. They argued that this legal gap underscored the urgent need for legislative backing to avoid a repeat of such situations in future elections.

According to the statement, making electronic transmission mandatory would enhance transparency, strengthen public trust in the electoral process and deepen democratic consolidation in the country.