By Chimezie Godfrey
Civil society organisations, including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Transition Monitoring Group, and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, have condemned the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results.
The groups described the decision as a major setback to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said the action undermined public confidence in the electoral process.
“The Senate’s decision is a direct affront to the collective will of Nigerians who have consistently demanded a transparent and credible electoral system,” he said.
Rafsanjani warned that the political space was already under strain due to internal party crises and court interventions.
He said the rejection appeared to be part of a deliberate attempt to frustrate electoral transparency.
The coalition noted that the amendment was meant to address challenges recorded during the 2023 general elections.
It also criticised the reduction of election notice periods and candidate publication timelines.
The groups urged lawmakers to reconsider their stance and prioritise democratic reforms.