The major opposition parties in Nigeria have jointly rejected the Senate’s decision on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, faulting lawmakers for refusing to make electronic transmission of election results compulsory. The parties said the move could harm Nigeria’s democratic process and reduce public trust in elections.
The position was made known in a joint statement released on Thursday through the official X account of the Peoples Democratic Party. The statement was jointly issued by spokespersons of the PDP, ADC, and NNPP, who accused the Senate, led by the ruling All Progressives Congress, of keeping legal gaps that could be used to influence future elections.
According to the opposition parties, allowing the electoral body to decide whether or not to transmit results electronically creates room for abuse and uncertainty. They argued that the decision shows fear of transparent elections and reflects an attempt to protect political interests ahead of future polls.
The parties also questioned why the ruling party freely adopts technology for internal processes such as membership registration, but resists its use for transmitting election results meant for the general public. They said this contradiction raises concerns about sincerity and commitment to fair elections.
They further referred to court decisions from the 2023 election disputes, where the Supreme Court ruled that electronic transmission of results was optional because the Electoral Act did not clearly make it compulsory. The opposition said this legal gap has weakened election cases and must be corrected to avoid similar outcomes in the future.
The parties maintained that compulsory electronic transmission would reduce disputes, improve trust in the voting process, and strengthen democracy. They expressed worry that rejecting this reform could reverse progress made in past elections.
Attention was also drawn to the role of the National Assembly Conference Committee, which is expected to harmonise the versions of the bill passed by both chambers. The opposition urged committee members to adopt the House of Representatives’ position, which supports stronger electronic reforms.
They warned that failure to act in the interest of the people could deepen public distrust and create long-term damage to Nigeria’s democratic system.
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