Senate’s electoral act amendment sparks outrage as experts warn of threat to democratic credibility

The passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill by the Senate on Thursday has triggered widespread criticism from political analysts and opposition figures, who argue that the rejection of provisions for real-time electronic transmission of election results could significantly undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Public affairs analyst Mahdi Shehu strongly condemned the National Assembly’s decision, describing it as a serious setback for Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, the lawmakers’ refusal to approve critical electoral reforms reflects a deliberate effort to weaken the power of citizens’ votes.

Speaking on the development, Shehu said the Senate had strayed from its constitutional responsibility to protect democratic values and represent the will of the people.

“It is one assault too many. The Senators have abandoned the very reasons Nigerians elected them and have continued to take the people for granted,” he said.

Shehu warned that by rejecting reforms such as mandatory electronic transmission of election results, the Senate was sending a dangerous signal that electoral outcomes may no longer reflect the will of voters.

“When votes will not count, there is no point voting,” he stated.

In unusually strong language, Shehu likened the Senate’s action to global disasters, warning of its potentially devastating consequences for democratic governance.

“The Senate’s action can be likened to HIV, Ebola and a tsunami combined,” he said, adding that the damage to Nigeria’s democracy could be deep and long-lasting.

He further accused Nigeria’s political system of failing to uphold the principle of checks and balances, alleging that the executive, legislature and judiciary were no longer effectively holding one another accountable.

“When the executive, judiciary and legislature, who are supposed to check each other, are actively in bed with one another, reforms become a mirage; a dream within a dream,” Shehu said.

The analyst also alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had become compromised, claiming that it now functioned primarily to legitimize outcomes favoured by those in power.

“INEC is expected to do the bidding of the president, which is to be declared winner whether he wins or not,” he alleged.

According to Shehu, the continued weakening of democratic institutions could lead Nigerians to question the country’s future, warning that a small political elite was holding the majority hostage.

“Less than two million people are destroying the lives, livelihoods and commerce of over 250 million Nigerians,” he said.

Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State also faulted the Senate’s decision, describing the Electoral Act amendment as a calculated political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on behalf of the party, the NNPP Kano State Publicity Secretary, Engr. Ibrahim Karaye, said the move was neither accidental nor procedural, but a deliberate attempt by the ruling party to gain electoral advantage.

“I see it as a deliberate political move by the ruling party. This is because the 2023 election was one of the closest contests in Nigeria’s history, with very little difference between the contestants,” Karaye said.

He argued that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergence as president with what he described as minority votes had made the ruling party uneasy about future elections conducted under strict transparency.

“President Tinubu is the only president in this democratic dispensation that won the presidency with minority votes. So the ruling party is now planning to maneuver the outcome of the 2027 election in its favour,” he claimed.

Karaye said the rejection of key reforms, particularly electronic transmission of results, was aimed at weakening transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

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Despite his criticism, the NNPP spokesman maintained that Nigerians would not be discouraged from participating in future elections, insisting that voter determination remained strong.

“I don’t think this decision will affect voter confidence or turnout. Our people are very determined to come out en masse and change their destiny, which I strongly believe is in their hands,” he said.

He added that Nigerians were more politically conscious than ever and understood the high stakes ahead of the 2027 polls.

“This is the first time in the history of this country that almost all the resources that should be channelled towards citizens’ welfare are being diverted to fund politics and prepare for the 2027 elections,” Karaye alleged.

Calling for vigilance, he urged citizens to actively participate in the electoral process and defend their votes.

“Every citizen should be ready to defend their electoral rights,” Karaye said. “People must participate fully in the process and work together to block rigging and voter manipulation.”

He stressed that safeguarding democracy would require collective effort, lawful civic engagement and a refusal by citizens to allow their votes to be taken for granted.