The Obedient Movement, the political camp associated with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, has criticised the Nigerian Senate’s actions on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, saying the decision not to approve mandatory electronic transmission of election results reflects an unwillingness to strengthen electoral transparency.
The criticism was contained in a statement by Dr Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the movement, made in Abuja.
The Electoral Act Amendment Bill is being considered by the National Assembly as part of ongoing efforts to update the legal framework governing elections ahead of the 2027 general polls.
Among the proposed changes was a provision to make real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal mandatory.
The Senate has opted not to make compulsory the real-time electronic transmission of results, and instead retained provisions that allow results to be transferred in a manner prescribed by INEC.
Critics had argued that mandatory electronic result transmission would reduce opportunities for result manipulation and bolster public confidence in electoral outcomes.
In its statement, the Obidient Movement said that the Senate’s decision not to adopt the proposed electronic transmission clause “shows you that they are not yet ready for credible, free and fair elections.”
According to the movement, the failure to incorporate explicit legal backing for electronic transmission leaves room for practices that could undermine transparency and trust in the election process.
The movement also said that electronic transmission remains critical to curbing opportunities for human interference in result collation and should be backed by law to strengthen transparency in the electoral process.
In the statement, Dr Yunusa Tanko said: “That shows you that they are not yet ready for credible, free and fair elections.” He added that electronic transmission of results is needed “to eliminate human interference in the result collation process.”
The Obidient Movement’s comments reflect broader public debate on electoral reforms in Nigeria, particularly the role of technology in enhancing transparency and credibility.
Civil society groups, opposition parties and rights advocates have long called for statutory backing for electronic result transmission as a means of strengthening public trust in electoral outcomes.
The Senate’s decision has prompted debate on whether the current legal framework sufficiently addresses these concerns.
