The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said only a law which, unequivocally, mandates real-time electronic transmission of results can command public confidence and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
ADC made its position known while clarifying an earlier statement on the Electoral Amendment Bill passed by the 10th Senate on Tuesday.
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ADC had hailed the Senate’s reversal of its initial position which retained the existing provisions of the Electoral Act with regards to how polling units results are compiled and conveyed as against the agitation for real time e-transmission of election results.
Explaining its position yesterday, ADC said its initial reaction was based on early media reports which indicated that the Senate had passed a version of the Electoral Amendment Bill that guarantees the real time transmission of election results, a long standing safeguard necessary to protect the votes of Nigerians and preserve electoral integrity.
The national publicity secretary of ADC, Malam Bolaji Abdullhai, said subsequent and more detailed reports have since revealed that the Bill, as passed, contains a controversial provision which introduces discretionary clauses capable of weakening the guarantee of real time electronic transmission and opening the door to the intentional manipulation of election results.
Abdullahi, in a statement, said “In light of these facts now on record, the ADC wishes to clarify its position. Any provision in our electoral laws that creates ambiguity, discretion, or technical loopholes around the transmission and collation of election results fundamentally undermines the integrity of the electoral process and cannot be accepted in good conscience.
“The credibility of elections rests not on assurances but on clear, unambiguous legal guarantees that protect the will of the people.
“The ADC therefore maintains that only an Electoral Amendment Act that unequivocally mandates real time electronic transmission of results, without exceptions capable of abuse, can command public confidence and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
“We urge the National Assembly to immediately address and remove any provision that dilutes this safeguard and to align the final version of the Bill with the recommendations of the House of Representatives that called for mandatory e-transmission of results.
“The ADC remains committed to standing with Nigerians in defense of transparent, credible, and verifiable elections. We therefore call on all Nigerians and all opposition parties to resist any attempt by the National Assembly Conference Committee on the electoral act amendment to pass anything other than provisions that will guarantee the unconditional and real time transmission of election results,” the party stated.