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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Nigerian Senate for rejecting mandatory real time electronic transmission of election results. He said the decision undermines transparency, credibility, and public trust in elections.
Rejection Linked to Electoral Amendment Bill
The criticism came after the Senate rejected an amendment to Clause 70(3) of the Electoral Amendment Bill. The amendment aimed to make electronic transmission of results compulsory. However, the Senate chose to retain the current provision in the Electoral Act, which allows results to be transmitted in a manner set by the electoral commission.
Atiku Warns Against Reduced Scrutiny
Atiku argued that relying on the 2022 provision weakens public oversight. He said real time transmission reduces human interference and limits result manipulation. Moreover, he stated that rejecting the amendment signals unwillingness to submit elections to full public scrutiny.
Call for Modern Electoral Standards
According to Atiku, electronic transmission is a basic democratic safeguard, not a partisan demand. Many democracies worldwide use technology to strengthen election credibility. Therefore, ignoring this reform preserves loopholes that may enable delays, disputes, or tampering.
Concerns Ahead of 2027 Elections
Atiku warned that this decision raises questions about the ruling political establishment’s commitment to free and fair elections in 2027. He stressed that Nigerians deserve elections decided by voters, not by procedural loopholes or manual delays. As a result, citizens must continue to demand transparency.
Call to Stakeholders
He urged Nigerians, civil society groups, the media, and international observers to monitor the situation closely. Furthermore, he emphasised that democracy must evolve with technology and the expectations of citizens.
