Electoral act: Every reform that strengthens transparency is resisted – Atiku on real-time result transmission
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar Criticizes Nigerian Senate’s Rejection of Electronic Voting Transparency
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Nigerian Senate’s recent decision to reject real-time electronic transmission of election results, labeling it a significant detriment to electoral transparency.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, Atiku stated that the Senate’s action represents a major setback for electoral reforms and diminishes public trust in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
“At a time when democracies worldwide are updating their electoral systems through technology, the Nigerian Senate has chosen to maintain obscurity and protect loopholes that foster manipulation and post-election disputes,” he said.
Atiku argued that this choice perpetuates a framework historically conducive to result tampering. “Every reform that enhances transparency is resisted, while every ambiguity that favors incumbency is retained,” he added.
He emphasized that the demand for real-time electronic transmission is not a partisan issue but rather a fundamental safeguard for democracy. “It minimizes human interference, limits result manipulation, and ensures that the will of the voter, as expressed at the polling unit, accurately reflects the final outcome,” Atiku noted.
Furthermore, he criticized the adoption of the 2022 provisions regarding electronic transmission, deeming them inadequate and indicative of a reluctance to achieve full electoral transparency.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, Atiku expressed concern about the political establishment’s intentions. He urged Nigerians, along with civil society organizations, media, and the international community, to remain vigilant and to push for advancements in the electoral system that align with global democratic standards.
