ADC Condemns Senate’s Rejection of Electronic Transmission, Says APC Scared of Free and Fair Election

In a statement by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the Party on Thursday, he said the rejected provisions would have significantly strengthened the credibility, transparency, and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. The ADC described the Senate’s action as a setback for democratic development in the country.

It mentioned that the Electoral provisions were intended to provide electoral safeguards against abuse and restore voter confidence in the electoral process. It stated that what the Senate did was to tamper with the law and expand opportunities for rigging. It accused the APC of exploiting its majority status to tamper with the law.

The statement emphasised that the ruling Party is afraid of subjecting itself to free and fair election hence the rejection of critical reforms to improve the election process.

According to the party, the most troubling aspect of the decision was the rejection of the electronic transmission of election results. The ADC argued that the move signals an attempt by the ruling APC to undermine the will of the Nigerian people and manipulate future elections.

“The rejection of electronic transmission of results is a clear indication of efforts to weaken electoral transparency and frustrate the democratic aspirations of Nigerians,” the statement said.

The party called on the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act to disregard the Senate’s submission and instead approve amendments that are consistent with democratic principles.

The ADC urged the committee to ensure that the final version of the Electoral Act reflects the will and aspirations of the Nigerian people, warning that any attempt to dilute electoral reforms would further erode public trust in the electoral process.

It also called on Nigerians to hold the APC accountable for actions that continue to weaken democracy and erode public trust in the electoral system.

Meanwhile, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio had denied that the Senate rejected the e-transmission of election results stating that what it did was to retain the previous provision in the Amended Electoral Act 2022.