ADC clarifies position on Electoral Amendment Bill passed by Senate

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has provided a clarification regarding its previous response to the Electoral Amendment Bill approved by the 10th Senate.

On Tuesday, the party provided a follow-up statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary. In this statement, the party clarified that its initial response was informed by early media reports indicating that the Senate had passed a version of the bill ensuring real-time transmission of election results.

The ADC asserts that results being transmitted electronically in real time is a longstanding safeguard essential for protecting votes and maintaining the integrity of elections.

The party noted, however, that more detailed reports revealed later that the bill as enacted includes a contentious provision introducing discretionary clauses.

The ADC observed that these clauses could undermine the assurance of real-time electronic transmission and potentially pave the way for election result tampering.

“In light of these facts now on record, the ADC wishes to clarify its position,” the party said.

The ADC indicated that any provision in the electoral law that introduces ambiguity, discretion, or technical loopholes regarding the transmission and collation of results compromises the integrity of elections.

“The credibility of elections rests not on assurances but on clear, unambiguous legal guarantees that protect the will of the people,” the statement said.

The party argued that public confidence and democratic integrity can only be ensured by an Electoral Amendment Act that explicitly requires real-time electronic transmission of results.

The ADC called on the National Assembly to eliminate any provisions that would undermine this safeguard and to ensure that the final version of the bill conforms to the recommendations of the Conference Committee on e-transmission of results.

“The ADC remains committed to standing with Nigerians in defense of transparent, credible, and verifiable elections,” the statement added.

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