The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the Senate’s decision to reject the electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act, describing it as shameful, unfortunate and harmful to democratic consolidation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said the Senate’s action followed what it described as an intentional and protracted delay, adding that the decision had drawn widespread condemnation from democratic-minded Nigerians.
The party reminded senators that they were elected as delegates of the people, urging them to reflect the wishes of their constituents at all times.
According to the PDP, Nigerians across the 109 senatorial districts desire electoral integrity, which it said is better guaranteed through the electronic transmission of results directly from polling units.
“It is common knowledge that the majority of Nigerians desire electoral sanctity, which is better guaranteed through the electronic transmission of votes from the polling units,” the statement read.
The opposition party argued that electronic transmission would help curb the widespread manipulation of election results during manual collation.
“We are all witnesses to the widespread practice of altering results before they get to the collation centre or at the collation centre,” the PDP said.
According to the party, the rejection of electronic transmission preserves a system that allows politicians to manipulate outcomes against the will of voters as expressed through the ballot.
The PDP described the Senate’s decision as a clear indication that the National Assembly was unwilling to legislate for electoral sanctity and democratic consolidation.
“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,” the statement said.
The party called on the National Assembly to immediately reconsider its position and pass the amendment approving electronic transmission of results.
According to the PDP, approving electronic transmission represents the minimum reform required to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
“This is the minimum amendment that can increase faith in the electoral process, without which voter apathy will be worse than what was witnessed in the last general election,” the party warned.
The PDP noted that worsening voter apathy would be dangerous for democracy and national stability.