The Peoples Democratic Party has urged Nigerians to reject the clause in the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill that allows for the manual transmission of election results, warning that it could undermine transparency and compromise the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, condemned the House of Representatives for abandoning its earlier pro-people stance and adopting a Senate provision that threatens electoral transparency.
On Tuesday, the Senate of Nigeria approved electronic transmission of election results while retaining manual collation as a backup. The vote was sharply divided: 55 senators supported the manual backup clause, while 15 opposed it, including Enyinnaya Abaribe and 14 others.
In response, the PDP called the move a breach of public trust and a factor likely to reduce transparency in elections.
“This is a clear betrayal of public trust. It is unfortunate that the House of Representatives abandoned the pro-people position they took and adopted the anti-people version of the Senate,” the party said.
“The legislators are delegates of power and should at all times act in the interest of the delegator of power. They are not in Parliament to legislate for themselves but to legislate for the people. The proviso is a catalyst for deepened election opacity and must be opposed by all lovers of democracy.”
