Major opposition parties in Nigeria, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have jointly condemned the Senate's recent rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, labeling it a setback for democratic progress.
The parties are urging the conference committee to override the Senate's decision and enforce real-time e-transmission to ensure transparency in future elections.
In a joint press statement released today, spokespersons Ini Ememobong (PDP), Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi (ADC), and Bamofin Ladipo Johnson (NNPP) accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Senate of deliberately maintaining loopholes that could facilitate electoral manipulation.
"The rejection of mandatory electronic transmission is a retrogressive act that undermines the integrity of our electoral process," the statement read. "We demand that results be uploaded in real-time from polling units to prevent rigging and restore public confidence in democracy."
The controversy stems from the Senate's vote on Wednesday, February 4, where lawmakers turned down amendments to Clause 60 of the Electoral Act that would have compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically.
Instead, the chamber retained provisions allowing discretionary methods as prescribed by INEC. Opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have echoed these criticisms, calling for mandatory e-transmission to safeguard against fraud.
Civil society groups, such as the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, have also voiced strong disapproval, with Co-Convener Mma Odi stating that the Senate's action has "finally murdered Nigeria's democracy."
Online reactions have been mixed, with some users criticizing the opposition for not mounting fiercer resistance, including calls for protests.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has clarified that the Senate did not outright reject electronic transmission but maintained flexibility in the process. However the opposition maintains that only mandatory e-transmission can address ongoing concerns about electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The parties have called on Nigerians to join in advocating for electoral reforms and vowed to pursue all legal avenues to push for the amendments.