The Peoples Democratic Party has described the recent amendment to the Electoral Act 2026, signed into law by Bola Tinubu, as a direct assault on democracy and the sanctity of the ballot.

PDP, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, accused the National Assembly of undermining the collective will of Nigerians by weakening provisions that ensure the compulsory electronic transmission of election results from polling units.

President Tinubu assented to the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission unveiled the timetable for the 2027 general elections.

The signing took place at the Presidential Villa at about 5:00 pm, with key officers of the National Assembly present, according to our correspondent.

A day earlier, the National Assembly had approved the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill.

The amendment has sparked widespread public discourse, particularly concerning the real-time electronic transmission of election results.

In its reaction, the PDP characterised the newly signed law as a grave betrayal of Nigerians’ trust, noting that citizens had clearly and overwhelmingly demanded the electronic transmission of results.

PDP stated, “The anti-democratic stance of the Senate and the sudden somersault by the House of Representatives on the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022, specifically on the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from the polling units, is an act of treachery against the Nigerian electorate.

“This betrayal is most painful because it strikes at the core of democracy and electoral sanctity.

“The shocking aspect of the whole drama is the brazen manner in which the legislators acted they clearly showed disdain for the Nigerian people who voted them into office by openly challenging the supremacy of the voters. The excuses advanced for inserting this obnoxious proviso are weak, illogical, and insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians.

“When lawmakers begin to dilute transparency mechanisms ahead of elections, only one conclusion is rational: there is a calculated attempt to create room for electoral manipulation. By this act, the National Assembly has violated the foundation of legislative representation, which is anchored on mirroring the wishes of the majority of their constituents. This is a painful betrayal, which the people will certainly repay in equal, if not heavier, measures.”

PDP stated that limiting party primaries to only Direct and Consensus options amounts to a clear interference in the internal operations of political parties.

It continued, “The Supreme Court has consistently affirmed that political parties possess autonomy in managing their internal processes. This provision is therefore ultra vires, and the attempt to constrict political parties is condemnable.

“Additionally, if the ruling party truly believes it enjoys the support it claims, it should welcome every mechanism that guarantees transparency. Their shameless support for this anomaly shows their fear of impending defeat in a free and fair election. It is most shameful that a party that demanded electronic voting in 2015 is now unwilling and unprepared to have electronic transmission of results—this is a crying shame.

“Finally, we call on all Nigerians, organised labour, and Civil Society Organisations to use all lawful means to express their displeasure at the anti-democratic actions of our National Assembly, in the hope that they will reconsider their position. This hard-won democracy must not be allowed to suffer decline in the hands of retrogressive politicians, masquerading as legislators.” (The PUNCH)

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