By Solomon Owo
The Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, has criticized the Nigerian Senate for rejecting the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing the move as undemocratic and self-serving.
In a statement by its leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, the group condemned the Senate’s decision as a betrayal of constitutional principles and multiparty democracy, prioritizing political incumbency over electoral integrity.
Afenifere emphasized that the Senate’s stance undermines the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution, which calls for free and fair elections.
The group noted that the rejection of amendments to make electronic transmission mandatory leaves the electoral process vulnerable to manipulation and administrative glitches.
The group also criticized the Senate’s rejection of the proposal for downloadable electronic voter cards with QR codes, which they argued would have modernized the voting process and made elections more accessible.
Afenifere called on the joint committee responsible for harmonizing the House and Senate versions of the Electoral Bill to ensure the inclusion of real-time transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing portal, warning that failure to do so will signal a lack of commitment to credible, technology-driven elections in the lead-up to the 2027 General Elections.
