By Olakunle Oke
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the National Assembly’s amendment of the Electoral Act 2022, particularly the removal of the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units.
In a statement issued Wednesday by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the opposition party described the move as a treacherous betrayal of the Nigerian electorate.
The PDP accused lawmakers of adopting an anti-democratic stance and disregarding the clear public demand for electronic transparency.
The party alleged that the decision strikes at the core of electoral integrity and claimed that the handling of the amendment showed an open disdain for the citizens who elected the legislators into office.
According to the statement, the justifications offered for the new provision were weak and illogical, raising serious concerns about potential electoral manipulation in future polls.
The statement further accused the National Assembly of violating the principles of legislative representation, arguing that decisions should reflect the wishes of the majority of constituents.
The PDP also criticized a new provision restricting party primaries to direct and consensus methods, labeling it an unconstitutional intrusion into the internal affairs of political parties.
The party noted that the Supreme Court has consistently upheld the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal processes.
Questioning the motives of the ruling party, the PDP argued that a party with genuine popular support should embrace mechanisms that guarantee transparency.
It described as ironic the fact that a party which once demanded electronic voting is now resisting the electronic transmission of results.
The opposition party concluded by calling on organized labor, civil society organizations, and the general public to use lawful means to express their displeasure, urging lawmakers to reconsider their position to protect the country’s democratic gains.
