ADC condemns Senate’s rejection of electoral reforms

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the Senate over its rejection of key electoral reform provisions, alleging that the move was aimed at undermining the credibility of future elections and entrenching electoral malpractice.

The party said the Senate’s decision to reject the electronic transmission of election results, alongside other proposed reforms, amounted to a renewed plan by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the electoral process.

In a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the rejected provisions were critical to strengthening transparency and restoring public confidence in elections.

“Foremost among these is the rejection of electronic transmission of election results, a move that clearly signals yet another attempt by the APC to undermine the will of the Nigerian people and manipulate future elections,” the party said.

The ADC also criticised the Senate’s decision to vote against reforms that would have allowed the electronic download of voter cards from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) website, reduced the notice period for elections, and shortened the timeline for the publication of candidates from 150 days to 60 days.

According to the party, the proposed amendments were designed to provide safeguards against electoral abuse and improve the efficiency of the electoral process.

“But what the Senate has done amounts to tampering with the laws to expand opportunities for rigging and foist logistical nightmares on INEC that will make future elections even less efficient,” Abdullahi said.

He accused the ruling party of using its numerical advantage in the National Assembly to alter electoral laws to its advantage.

“The net sum of this disgraceful action is that the APC has exploited its majority status in the National Assembly to tamper with the law and lay the ground for all manner of malpractice,” the statement said.

The ADC further alleged that the APC’s resistance to electoral reforms stemmed from fear of losing power in a transparent contest.

“Nigerians are well aware that the APC is mortally afraid of subjecting themselves to a free and fair election because of the unprecedented suffering that they have visited on ordinary Nigerians, but no one expected them to go this far in mutilating our nation’s electoral laws,” the party said.

The party said by rejecting critical reforms meant to improve the conduct of elections, the APC has betrayed its lack of confidence and has shown its desire to cling to power by all means, including by legislative tampering.

The opposition party called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and to hold the ruling party accountable for actions it said were weakening democracy.

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“At this critical moment, all well-meaning Nigerians must hold the APC accountable for actions that continue to weaken democracy and erode public trust in our electoral system,” the ADC said.

Describing the Senate’s action as retrogressive, the party urged Nigerians to reject it, “As Nigeria’s leading opposition party, the ADC unequivocally condemns this retrogressive action of the Nigerian Senate and calls on all Nigerians to reject it,” the statement said.

The party also appealed to the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act to disregard the Senate’s position.

“We urge the Committee to pass amendments that align with democratic principles that truly reflect the will and aspirations of the Nigerian people,” it added.