Key opposition figures in the National Assembly, led by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, and other lawmakers, have stepped up pressure on the legislature to preserve the provision for real-time electronic transmission of election results in the amended Electoral Bill.
Gatekeepers News reports that during plenary discussions on ongoing electoral reforms, the senators insisted that electronic transmission has become central to credible elections, arguing that rolling it back would undermine transparency and further damage public confidence in the electoral system.
They maintained that modern democracies increasingly rely on technology to reduce manipulation, improve accountability, and ensure that citizens’ votes are accurately reflected in final results.
Senator Natasha strongly opposed any dilution of the provision, describing real-time electronic transmission as a crucial protection against electoral fraud. She cautioned that abandoning it would expose elections to manipulation and reverse gains recorded in recent electoral cycles.
“I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, support the real-time electronic transmission of results. The failure to retain this provision constitutes a lethal assault on Nigeria’s democracy,” she said.
The Kogi Central senator further stressed that elections can only be credible when every stage of voting, collation, and result declaration is open and verifiable, adding that Nigerians deserve assurance that their votes genuinely count.
Supporting this position, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe reminded lawmakers that they occupy office based on the trust of the electorate and must act in ways that protect that mandate. He warned that weakening transparency measures in the electoral framework would betray public confidence and harm democratic governance.
“Every one of us who has the privilege to represent a senatorial district came here under the trust of our people. That trust has been handed to us by Nigerians to do the absolute best for the country,” Abaribe stated.
He argued that removing electronic transmission would contradict that trust and deepen citizens’ skepticism toward elections and government institutions.
Other opposition lawmakers, including Senator Aminu Tambuwal, aligned with the call, noting that Nigeria should continue to align its electoral laws with global democratic standards and internationally accepted best practices. They maintained that electronic transmission helps limit disputes, enhances election monitoring, and supports faster, more credible declaration of results.
The renewed push comes amid intense national discussions on proposed changes to the Electoral Act, with civil society groups, election observers, and pro-democracy advocates also urging lawmakers to prioritise transparency and accountability ahead of future elections.
While debates continue within the National Assembly, the opposition lawmakers remain resolute that retaining electronic transmission is essential to safeguarding democracy and ensuring elections truly reflect the will of the people.
