The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the APC-led Senate’s rejection of proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, saying the move undermines efforts to strengthen the credibility and efficiency of Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement on Thursday, the party faulted the Senate for voting down measures that included electronic transmission of election results, provisions to allow electronic download of voter cards from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) website, and changes to election timelines — notably a reduction in notice periods and a proposed shortening of the window for publication of candidates from 150 to 60 days.
The ADC described the Senate’s actions as “a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democracy,” and said they reflected the ruling All Progressives Congress’s (APC) reluctance to face a genuinely competitive national vote in 2027. The party argued that the rejected provisions would have provided safeguards against fraud, restored voter confidence and eased logistical pressures on INEC.
Calling on the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act to overturn the Senate’s decision, the ADC urged lawmakers to adopt amendments that align with democratic principles and the will of Nigerians. The party also appealed to citizens to hold the APC accountable, saying the rejection of the reforms betrays a lack of confidence in fair elections and risks further eroding public trust in the electoral system.
