Major opposition parties in Nigeria have jointly condemned the Senate’s rejection of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act, warning that the move could damage the credibility of the 2027 general elections and erode public trust in the democratic process.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the opposition parties said the Senate’s decision had raised serious national concern and compelled them to speak with one voice. The statement was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Comrade Ini Ememobong; the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; and the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Bamofin Ladipo Johnson.
The parties described the Senate’s action as retrogressive, arguing that it undermines years of struggle to strengthen electoral transparency and accountability in Nigeria. According to them, rejecting real-time electronic transmission of results contradicts global best practices and weakens safeguards against electoral manipulation.
“The grave implications of this retrogressive act by the Senate have compelled us, as spokespersons of the major opposition political parties, to jointly address Nigerians on an issue capable of derailing our hard-earned democracy,” the statement said.
The opposition parties questioned why the ruling All Progressives Congress, which they noted is currently deploying technology for nationwide electronic registration of its members, would oppose the use of similar technology to transmit election results.
“We are at a loss as to why a party that relies heavily on technology to organise its internal affairs is averse to using technology to ensure transparency in elections,” they stated.
They further accused the APC-led National Assembly of deliberately preserving weaknesses in the electoral system that could be exploited during elections. According to the parties, the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission reflects fear of the electorate and an attempt to retain loopholes that enable manipulation of results.
“They know Nigerians are fed up with them and are aware of the rejection that awaits them at the polls. A free and fair election has therefore become a threat, which is why they seek to protect loopholes that could be abused to their advantage,” the statement added.
The opposition parties also criticised senators for allegedly placing party loyalty above national interest, insisting that lawmakers should act as custodians of democracy rather than instruments of partisan control.
Regardless of party affiliation, they said, senators were expected to rise above political considerations and strengthen democratic institutions, noting that the legislature remains one of the most important symbols of democracy in Nigeria.
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Referencing past court rulings, the parties recalled that the judiciary had previously held that the Electoral Act 2022 did not expressly mandate electronic transmission of results. They said the current amendment process presented an opportunity to close that gap and entrench transparency ahead of the 2027 elections.
“With this rejection, the Senate has effectively returned Nigeria to square one,” the statement said, adding that responsibility now lies with the conference committee to resolve the disagreement between both chambers of the National Assembly.
The opposition parties urged members of the conference committee to adopt the position of the House of Representatives by approving mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results, stressing that doing so would align the electoral framework with the will of Nigerians and strengthen confidence in future elections.
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