PDP Slams Senate: Rejecting E-Voting Transmission is a ‘Blow to Democracy’ Ahead of 2027
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Senate to rethink its recent rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, warning that the decision threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
PDP spokesperson Ini Ememobong argued in a statement on Wednesday that forcing results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) would curb vote-buying, manipulation, and other electoral malpractices.
“This rejection shows the National Assembly is not ready to legislate for electoral sanctity. We call on lawmakers to immediately reconsider and approve electronic transmission of results,” Ememobong said, adding that failure to do so could worsen voter apathy and further undermine democracy.
The controversy comes after the Senate passed amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, including:
- Rejecting mandatory electronic transmission from polling units to IREV, retaining the old law allowing results to go first to the collation centre.
- Maintaining the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the sole mandatory identification method, rejecting alternative forms like NIN, passport, or birth certificate.
- Increasing fines for PVC-related offences to ₦5 million, while retaining a two-year jail term.
- Changing post-election dispute rules, limiting tribunals’ power to declare winners outright and introducing reruns where candidates fail to secure a majority of lawful votes.
Ememobong urged lawmakers to remember that they are delegates of the people, stressing that a majority of Nigerians want electoral transparency guaranteed by electronic result transmission.
“Electronic transmission would stop the widespread practice of altering results before or at collation centres. Politicians cannot continue to hijack the will of the people.”
The PDP’s appeal highlights the growing public concern that Nigeria’s electoral process remains vulnerable without compulsory electronic transmission, even as the country gears up for the high-stakes 2027 elections.
SOURCE : PremiumTimes
