By Chimezie Godfrey
Civil society groups have called for the mainstreaming of technology into Nigeria’s electoral laws to prevent fraud and manipulation in election result transmission.
The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, made the call while reacting to the controversy surrounding amendments to the Electoral Act.
Rafsanjani said claims that Nigerians cannot effectively use technology for elections are dishonest.
“Every day, Nigerians rely on electronic platforms for banking, business, and government services. Saying electronic transmission is not feasible is deliberately misleading,” he said.
According to him, resistance to digital reforms is driven by political interests.
“This narrative is not about technology. It is about control,” Rafsanjani stated.
He warned that attempts to weaken electoral reforms could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
“A weak electoral law breeds instability and crisis. It does not promote peace or good governance,” he said.
Rafsanjani urged lawmakers to prioritise national interest over personal ambition.
“The purpose of law-making is to strengthen democracy, not undermine it. Any law that blocks transparency is complicit,” he added.