A civil society organisation, Leadership Orientation and Basic Rights Advocacy Centre (LOBRAC), has urged the Senate to approve proposed amendments to the Electoral Act to mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The group made the call in a communiqué jointly signed by its Executive Director, Mr Stanley Okafor and National Secretary, Mr Franklin Asiegbu, and issued on Monday in Awka.
LOBRAC expressed concern over what it described as the Senate’s delay in approving amendments to Clause 10, Section 3 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
It said the section sought to remove the discretionary powers granted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the mode of transmitting election results.
“The amendment is critical to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Retaining discretion for INEC on the transmission method has contributed to controversies surrounding election outcomes and undermined public confidence in the electoral system.
“Failure to mandate electronic transmission of results can hinder progress in ensuring credible elections,” it said.
The group noted that Section 60 of the current Electoral Act provided for manual recording of results at polling units.
It added that the section also granted INEC discretion on the mode of transmitting those results, a provision it said Nigerians had widely criticised.
“Compelling electronic transmission of results from polling units will help address recurring concerns raised after previous elections and strengthen transparency in the electoral process,” it said.
LOBRAC further stated that it would collaborate with labour unions and other stakeholders to advocate approval of the amendment in line with what it described as the collective interest of Nigerians.
