ADC criticises Senate for rejecting key Electoral Act reforms, warning it undermines transparency and integrity of Nigeria’s elections
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the Senate’s decision to reject key provisions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, warning that the move undermines the credibility, transparency, and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
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The Senate declined a proposed amendment to Clause 70, Subsection 3, which sought to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the chamber did not outrightly reject the proposal but opted to maintain the current provision in the Electoral Act.
In a statement on Thursday, signed by spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the Senate’s action as a deliberate attempt to weaken democratic safeguards and pave the way for electoral manipulation.
The party particularly criticised the rejection of electronic transmission of results, which it said is essential to protecting the will of Nigerian voters.
“Foremost amongst these is the rejection of electronic transmission of election results, a move that clearly signals yet another attempt by the APC to undermine the will of the Nigerian people and manipulate future elections,” the statement read.
The ADC also faulted the Senate for voting against other proposed reforms, including electronic download of voter cards, reducing the notice period for elections, and shortening the timeline for candidate publication from 150 days to 60 days.
The party argued that the rejected provisions were designed to strengthen safeguards and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“What the Senate has done amounts to tampering with the laws to expand opportunities for rigging and foist logistical nightmares on INEC that will make future elections even less efficient,” the ADC added.
The opposition accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of exploiting its majority in the National Assembly to weaken electoral laws, claiming the party acted out of fear of free and fair elections.
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“The net sum of this disgraceful action is that the APC has exploited its majority status in the National Assembly to tamper with the law and lay the ground for all manner of malpractice,” the statement said.
