By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Campaign for Equal Rights and Opportunities for all Nigerians (CERON) has called on the National Assembly to urgently heed the demands of Nigerians by making the electronic transmission of election results mandatory in the Electoral Act.

The group warned that it would be unacceptable for lawmakers to act in opposition to the wishes of the people whose mandate they hold, stressing that Nigerians would not settle for anything less than full transparency in the electoral process.

CERON made its position known in a statement issued on Sunday by its Secretary, Mr. Francis Odiir, following concerns over provisions recently considered by the Senate in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.

According to the group, it was disappointing that the Senate appeared poised to retain provisions similar to those applied during the 2023 general elections, which did not make electronic transmission of results compulsory.

“One then begins to wonder if the Senators have divorced themselves from the people they represent in the Senate,” Odiir said, questioning the lawmakers’ commitment to public expectations.

He argued that allowing electronic transmission without making it mandatory leaves room for manipulation of results as they move from polling units to collation centres.

“You cannot tell us that you have allowed the provision as it was in the electoral law used in 2023. The implication is that electronic transmission of results will not be mandatory,” Odiir stated.

He emphasized that Nigerians want real-time transmission of results directly to a central server to eliminate opportunities for alteration or doctoring of figures.

“The people want the transmission of results in real time without allowing room for anyone to tamper with them. That is what Nigerians want to ensure credibility in the process,” he added.

CERON described the position of the House of Representatives as commendable, noting that it had aligned itself more closely with public expectations on the issue.

“It is rather encouraging that the House of Representatives stands out in this matter. They gave the people what they yearned for, but the Senate has left everyone shocked and disappointed,” Odiir said.

The group urged the Senate to reconsider its stance and amend the Electoral Act to provide for compulsory electronic transmission of results, insisting that only such a measure would guarantee elections that are free, fair, and credible.