Electoral Act: PDP knocks Senate over rejection of electronic transmission of results

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has berated the Senate over the rejection of electronic transmission of election results in the proposed electoral act.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, yesterday, described the action of the red chamber as ‘most shameful and unfortunate.’

The Senate, while voting on the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022, yesterday, rejected a proposal for the transmission of election results from the polling unit, real time.

However, the opposition party said the electronic transmission of election results would have curbed the manipulation of election results by politicians.

The statement read: “Today, after an intentional and protracted delay, the Senate, while passing the amendment to the Electoral Act, rejected the electronic transmission of results at the polling units. This rejection is most shameful and unfortunate, attracting condemnation from all democratic-minded persons.

“We charge our lawmakers to remember that they are delegates of power invested in them by the voters in their various constituencies and must endeavour to mirror their desires and wishes at all times.

“It is common knowledge that the majority of Nigerians all across the 109 senatorial districts desire electoral sanctity which is better guaranteed through the electronic transmission of votes from the polling units. We are all witnesses to the widespread practice of altering results before it gets to the collation centre or at the collation centre.

“This electronic transmission would have brought an end to this ignoble practice that has been deployed by politicians to win elections against the wishes of the people expressed through the ballot.

“This rejection is a clear indication that the National Assembly is not willing or ready to legislate for electoral sanctity and democratic consolidation. This is, indeed, a sad day for electoral democracy. We, hereby, call the National Assembly to immediately reconsider its stand on this matter and take steps to pass the amendment approving the electronic transmission of results.

“This is the minimum amendment that can increase faith in the electoral process, without which the apathy will be worse than the last general election, which is greatly unhelpful to democracy.”