By Nkechi Eze
A broad coalition of civil society organisations, including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Zero Corruption Coalition and several others, has strongly condemned the decision of the Senate of the 10th National Assembly to reject a proposed amendment seeking to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory in Nigeria.
The groups described the Senate’s action as a major setback to Nigeria’s democratic development and a grave blow to years of advocacy for a stronger, more transparent and credible electoral framework.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the Executive Director of CISLAC and Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said the rejection of the amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill represents a direct affront to the collective will of Nigerians who have consistently demanded far-reaching electoral reforms.
He noted that the decision has generated widespread shock and disappointment among citizens within Nigeria and in the diaspora, while raising serious concerns about the Senate’s commitment to genuine electoral reform.
Rafsanjani warned that Nigeria’s political space is already under intense strain, with political parties particularly opposition parties grappling with endless court cases, leadership disputes and judicial interventions that have weakened internal party democracy and undermined political pluralism.
According to him, the persistent weaponisation of the courts against political parties has created a toxic political environment that emasculates opposition platforms, discourages credible alternatives and threatens democratic stability.
Against this backdrop, the coalition observed that the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of results appears to fit into a broader and deliberate pattern aimed at frustrating electoral transparency and weakening democratic institutions.
“With this action, the Senate has demonstrated a troubling alignment with forces that seek to manipulate electoral outcomes. Under such conditions, the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria will become increasingly difficult, if not impossible,” Rafsanjani said.
The coalition recalled that the proposed amendment was a direct response to credibility challenges recorded during the 2023 general elections, particularly the failure of electronic transmission of results to enhance transparency and public confidence.
Rafsanjani noted that in its judgments on post-election litigations, the Supreme Court pointed to the absence of a clear legal provision mandating electronic transmission as a critical limitation. He added that extensive post-election consultations across the country revealed overwhelming public consensus on the urgent need to legally entrench technology as a tool for strengthening electoral credibility.
Beyond the rejection of electronic transmission, the coalition condemned what it described as other regressive decisions by the Senate, including the reduction of the notice period for elections from 360 days to 180 days, the shortening of the timeline for publishing the list of candidates from 150 days to 60 days, and the blocking of proposals that would allow voters to download electronic voter cards from the INEC website.
Taken together, the organisations said these actions amount to deliberate attempts to weaken Nigeria’s electoral law and undermine the prospects of credible elections.
Rafsanjani, who is also Board Chairman of CAPPA, expressed concern that such decisions appear designed to preserve the interests of a narrow political ruling class through opaque and non-transparent processes.
He reminded lawmakers that the legislature remains a central pillar of democracy, noting that history has shown that during periods of democratic collapse, the legislature is often the first institution to be dissolved.
“Lawmakers must therefore act with responsibility, foresight and respect for democratic norms,” he said, stressing that legislators must see themselves as representatives of the people, not as agents of personal ambition or instruments of entrenched power.
The coalition also drew attention to what it described as a more progressive and reform-driven posture adopted by the House of Representatives on key electoral issues, urging Nigerians to demand the rejection of the Senate’s positions at the Joint Committee stage.
They further called on the Senate to urgently reconsider decisions that undermine electoral transparency, public trust and democratic consolidation.
The groups pointed out what they described as the irony of lawmakers embracing technology for political campaigns, governance and constituent engagement, while portraying the same technology as dangerous to electoral integrity.
According to CISLAC, technology remains indispensable to democratic growth, and Nigeria must align fully with global best practices in electoral administration.
The coalition reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to sustained advocacy for comprehensive electoral reforms that strengthen public trust, deepen democracy and guarantee the fundamental right of Nigerians to choose their leaders through transparent, credible and accountable elections.
They warned that Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads, and the choices made by lawmakers today will determine whether the country moves closer to democratic consolidation or slides further into electoral uncertainty.
