The People’s Democratic Party has called for a legal framework to enable the electronic transmission of election results from polling units prior to the 2027 general elections.

The party’s spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, made the call at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Ologunagba said Nigerians wanted their votes to count and reflect their true wishes during elections. He stressed that electronic transmission of results from polling units remained the only way to guarantee credible elections, urging INEC to establish a clear legal framework.

According to him, electronic transmission would not only reduce manipulation but also strengthen democracy and restore Nigerians’ confidence in the electoral system.

He also urged INEC to resolve technical issues affecting its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), especially glitches recorded during the 2023 general elections.

Mr Ologunagba insisted that INEC must ensure credible and glitch-free elections in 2027, noting that if Point of Sale machines function in remote areas, the BVAS should not fail in those areas. He questioned why ATMs and POS terminals work effectively nationwide, yet BVAS sometimes fails in areas where citizens expect reliable accreditation.

Speaking on the party’s elective convention scheduled for November in Ibadan, Mr Ologunagba said it would produce a stronger and more united PDP. He added that all statutory organs, chapters, and critical stakeholders were working for a seamless and successful convention.

Mr Ologunagba stated that zonal meetings on the micro-zoning of national positions allocated to the North and South had been concluded, with reports to be submitted shortly. He noted that the sale of forms for national offices was ongoing, in line with the timetable approved by the party’s NEC. He maintained that the PDP remained organised, democratic, and connected to the people, stressing the convention would place the party on solid ground to reclaim power in 2027.

On the appointment of a new INEC chairman, Mr Ologunagba urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the selection of a truly independent figure to conduct credible elections. He underlined the importance of building strong institutions rather than allowing individuals to manipulate electoral processes.

On the expectation that Governor Siminalayi Fubara may soon be reinstated, Mr Ologunagba described it as a positive development, although the PDP maintains that his removal was unconstitutional.

He said restoring Mr Fubara would return the people of Rivers to democratic governance under a competent leader who had demonstrated capacity.

(NAN)