The coalition-backed African Democratic Congress has warned that clauses in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill passed by the Senate could undermine the integrity of elections.

In a statement on Wednesday, the party expressed fresh concerns over what it called “controversial discretionary clauses” that allow the electronic transmission of election results only where possible, potentially weakening safeguards against vote manipulation.

“Any provision in our electoral laws that creates ambiguity, discretion, or technical loopholes around the transmission and collation of election results fundamentally undermines the integrity of the electoral process and cannot be accepted in good conscience.

“The credibility of elections rests not on assurances but on clear, unambiguous legal guarantees that protect the will of the people.

“The ADC, therefore, maintains that only an Electoral Amendment Act that unequivocally mandates real-time electronic transmission of results, without exceptions capable of abuse, can command public confidence and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement said.  

The opposition party insisted that only an Electoral Amendment Act that unequivocally mandates the real-time electronic transmission of results, without exceptions that could be manipulated, can command public trust and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

“We urge the National Assembly to immediately address and remove any provision that dilutes this safeguard and to align the final version of the Bill with the recommendations of the Conference Committee that called for e-transmission of results.

“The ADC remains committed to standing with Nigerians in defence of transparent, credible, and verifiable elections,” the party added.