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ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo calls on the Senate to remove manual result transmission from the Electoral Act, insisting that only electronic transmission from polling units can guarantee credible elections.
Amid growing criticism of the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has urged the Senate to completely expunge provisions allowing manual transmission of election results.
Speaking on Tuesday during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Okonkwo insisted that results must be transmitted directly from polling units to prevent manipulation and ensure transparency.
“Cancel Elections Where Transmission Fails”
Okonkwo further argued that elections should be annulled in any polling unit where electronic transmission fails, stressing that credible results are the foundation of democracy.
Responding to concerns about fairness, Okonkwo maintained that fraudulent results undermine the entire electoral process.
He added that free and fair elections would transform Nigeria’s development trajectory, saying, “On the day we have free and fair elections in Nigeria, 20 years after that, we would become a superpower nation.”
“Democracy Belongs to the People”
Okonkwo blamed Nigeria’s slow development on electoral irregularities, stressing that democracy belongs to the people, not to any political party — whether ADC or the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He called on citizens to defend and sustain democratic governance, urging collective action to protect the integrity of elections.
Senate Faces Backlash Over Clause 60(3)
The controversy follows the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, which rejected real-time electronic transmission of results under Clause 60(3).
Lawmakers instead retained provisions from the 2022 Act, granting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) discretion over how results are transmitted.
The decision sparked public outrage, with opposition figures, civil society groups, and youth protesters accusing the Senate of weakening Nigeria’s democracy.
Senate Reviews Position After Protests
Following nationwide protests led by Peter Obi and joined by Rotimi Amaechi, the Senate on Tuesday reviewed its stance and approved electronic transmission of results, though it removed the “real-time” requirement.
It also ruled that in areas with poor internet connectivity, Form EC8A would serve as the primary document for result collation.
During the emergency plenary session, lawmakers established a committee to reconcile the Senate’s version of the bill with that of the House of Representatives, amid continued public scrutiny.