The Senate’s rejection of mandatory real time electronic transmission of results has been described as undemocratic and self serving by the Pan Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere.
“This is tantamount to a betrayal of constitutionalism and multiparty democracy, as it prioritizes political incumbency over democratic integrity.”
The Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, stated this in a statement jointly signed by its leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan and the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye.
This remarks are reaction to recent controversy over the Repeal and Re-enactment of the Electoral Act 2022 Amendment Bill in which the Senate reportedly rejected the transmission of results and digital voter identification.
The group accused the Senate of “obviously self-serving and a move towards one-party state, teleguided by the executive as witnessed over the years in Lagos State.”
It said the Senate insisting on electronic transmission is “still allowed” under existing law, adding that the Supreme Court previously ruled that such transmission is not mandatory because it is not explicitly provided for in the Electoral Act 2022.
Afenifere said “by refusing to codify it as a legal requirement in the 2026 Bill, the Senate intentionally leaves the process vulnerable to administrative “glitches” or selective non-compliance, undermining the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution’s call for free and fair elections.” .
It said section 78 of the 1999 Constitution empowers the National Assembly to legislate for credible federal elections, but lamented that unfortunately, the Senate has subverted the mandatory transparency by rejecting an amendment to Clause 60(3) which would have legally compelled INEC to transmit results from polling units to the IReV portal in real-time.
“By rejecting mandatory electronic transmission, the Senate fails to advance constitutional imperatives for fair elections, allowing potential interference that contravenes the spirit of democratic governance and equal suffrage under Sections 117-119.
“The rejection of Clause 47, which sought to allow downloadable electronic voter cards with QR codes, forces a continued reliance on physical Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). This decision disenfranchises voters who may lose their physical cards and ignores modern digital identification advancements, directly contradicting the goal of making elections more accessible,” it said.
