The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has denounced the APC-led 10th Senate’s decision to reject important changes to the Electoral Act that would have increased the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) effectiveness and the legitimacy of upcoming elections.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s publicity secretary, described the action as an intentional attempt to weaken Nigeria’s democracy.
It notably criticizes the Senate for ruling against provisions for the electronic download of voter cards and for refusing to authorize the electronic communication of election results.
Additionally, the ADC denounces the decision to dramatically shorten the deadlines for publishing the list of candidates and to cut election notice periods.
The ruling party’s fear of free and fair elections in 2027, despite its current political dominance, is revealed by these tactics, the ADC claims.
Consequently, the party urges the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act to reverse the Senate’s ruling and enact changes that represent democratic values and the Nigerian people’s desire.
“The 10th APC-led Senate’s decision to reject important provisions that would have strengthened the credibility, transparency, and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process is strongly condemned by the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” the complete statement says.
“The most important of them is the denial of the electronic transmission of election results, which obviously indicates another attempt by the APC to subvert the will of the Nigerian people and rig future elections.
Additionally, the Senate voted against important measures that would have cut the notice period for elections, allowed voter cards to be downloaded electronically from the INEC website, and decreased the time frame for candidate publication from 150 days to 60 days.
The goal of these proposed measures was to restore voter trust in the electoral process and to provide the essential protections against electoral fraud. Rather, by altering the law in a way that increases the likelihood of election tampering and places significant logistical burdens on INEC, the Senate has decided to further reduce the effectiveness of future elections.
As a result of this shameful move, the APC has manipulated the law and created the conditions for widespread election malpractice by taking use of its majority in the National Assembly.
Nigerians are fully aware that the APC is terrified of holding free and fair elections because to the unprecedented suffering it has caused regular people. But few anticipated that the party would go so far in dismantling the country’s electoral regulations.
“The APC has shown that it lacks confidence and is determined to hold onto power by whatever means, including meddling with legislation, by rejecting important measures intended to improve the holding of elections.
“All well-meaning Nigerians must hold the APC responsible for its activities that continue to undermine democracy and destroy public confidence in the electoral system at this crucial juncture.
The ADC, the country’s main opposition party, strongly denounces the Nigerian Senate’s retrogressive move and urges all Nigerians to reject it.
“We also urge the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act to reject the Senate’s proposal and approve changes that are consistent with democratic ideals and accurately represent the goals and desires of the Nigerian people.”
