The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has condemned the Senate’s decision to make real-time electronic transmission of election results optional, describing the move as a major setback for Nigeria’s electoral integrity and democratic progress.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the party labelled the decision a “retrogressive move” capable of undermining transparency and eroding public confidence in the electoral process.
The opposition party warned that weakening mandatory electronic transmission could encourage manipulation and compromise the credibility of election outcomes across the country.
“Our people bear the daily cost of wrong choices imposed through flawed elections: collapsing public services, insecurity, economic hardship, and a governance culture divorced from accountability,” the statement read.
The PDP stressed that real-time electronic transmission of results is essential to credible elections, noting that it helps prevent tampering at collation centres and ensures the accuracy of final tallies.
“Real-time transmission of results is not a luxury. It is the backbone of modern electoral credibility. To make it optional is to re-open the dark corridors where figures are manufactured and the will of the people is subverted,” the party said.
The Edo PDP also pointed to past electoral reforms carried out under former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, which it said strengthened the independence of the electoral body and improved public trust in elections.
According to the party, Nigeria witnessed more competitive elections during that period, adding that previous administrations pursued reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability.
The party further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken electoral transparency since assuming power, alleging that recent legislative moves are designed to create loopholes that could undermine credible elections.
“Instead of consolidating transparency through technology, the APC is now engineering legal escape routes to weaken it,” the statement added, while questioning why the ruling party would oppose a transparent electoral process.
Call For Reversal
The PDP urged the Senate to immediately reverse the decision, insisting it was aimed at tightening political control rather than promoting flexibility in election management.
It also called on civil society organisations, professional bodies, the media, and the international community to resist any policies capable of undermining democratic processes in Nigeria.
The party concluded by emphasising that Nigeria’s stability and progress depend on free, fair, and transparent elections, urging lawmakers to prioritise reforms that strengthen rather than weaken democratic institutions.