Dare Babalola
Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, has condemned the Senate’s removal of electronic transmission of results from the Electoral Act, calling it a deliberate attempt to rig the 2027 general elections.
Oguntoyinbo cautioned that this development is a retrogressive step for Nigeria, stating this in a press statement issued to journalists in Ibadan on Friday.
Recall that the Senate had few days ago rejected electronic transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Oguntoyinbo condemned the Senate’s removal of electronic transmission of results from the Electoral Act, stating that it would create an opportunity for electoral malpractice in 2027.
He said that Nigerians are not comfortable with the rejection by the Senate.
He tasked the Senate President to revisit the amendment, saying, ”Nigerians are not comfortable to hear that there is no electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act or that it is optional, you can use it, or you cannot use it. No. The Electronic Transmission of Results should be made compulsory for INEC. The alleged decision of the Senate is sending a wrong signal and is moving Nigeria completely back into the stone ages.
“Please, we don’t want ambiguity. Election results must be electronically transmitted from the polling units across the country.
“We should not return to the era of ballot box snatching. The lawmakers should help INEC to deliver a free, fair, credible and well accepted results. The Senate must ensure that those who govern the country are people duly elected by the people. And the only way this can be done is to tidy up the Electoral Act and avoid ambiguity in its draft.”
