Senate’s Rejection of Real-Time Results Transmission Threatens Electoral Transparency — Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Nigerian Senate’s decision to reject real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing it as a major setback for electoral transparency and democratic reform. In a statement posted on his official X handle, Atiku said the action amounted to a deliberate assault on transparency and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process. He noted that while democracies around the world are strengthening their electoral systems through technology, Nigeria appears to be moving in the opposite direction by retaining what he described as an opaque system that allows manipulation and post-election disputes. According to him, real-time electronic transmission of results is not a partisan issue but a democratic safeguard that reduces human interference, limits result manipulation, and ensures that votes cast at polling units are accurately reflected in final outcomes. Atiku argued that rejecting the measure and retaining provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act that delay electronic transmission signals an unwillingness to subject elections to public scrutiny. He further expressed concern that the decision raises questions about the commitment of the political leadership to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in 2027. The former vice president added that reforms aimed at strengthening transparency are often resisted, while ambiguities that benefit incumbents are preserved. Atiku called on Nigerians, civil society groups, the media, and the international community to take note of what he described as a regression in electoral reform and to continue advocating for a modern and credible electoral system. He stressed that Nigeria deserves elections that are transparent, verifiable, and free from manipulation, warning that anything less would amount to an injustice to voters and a betrayal of democracy.
By Abubakar Mala Gajibo
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Nigerian Senate’s decision to reject real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing it as a major setback for electoral transparency and democratic reform.
In a statement posted on his official X handle, Atiku said the action amounted to a deliberate assault on transparency and public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He noted that while democracies around the world are strengthening their electoral systems through technology, Nigeria appears to be moving in the opposite direction by retaining what he described as an opaque system that allows manipulation and post-election disputes.
According to him, real-time electronic transmission of results is not a partisan issue but a democratic safeguard that reduces human interference, limits result manipulation, and ensures that votes cast at polling units are accurately reflected in final outcomes.
Atiku argued that rejecting the measure and retaining provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act that delay electronic transmission signals an unwillingness to subject elections to public scrutiny.
He further expressed concern that the decision raises questions about the commitment of the political leadership to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
The former vice president added that reforms aimed at strengthening transparency are often resisted, while ambiguities that benefit incumbents are preserved.
Atiku called on Nigerians, civil society groups, the media, and the international community to take note of what he described as a regression in electoral reform and to continue advocating for a modern and credible electoral system.
He stressed that Nigeria deserves elections that are transparent, verifiable, and free from manipulation, warning that anything less would amount to an injustice to voters and a betrayal of democracy.
