By NEFISHETU YAKUBU

Former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku on Thursday described the Senate’s rejection of real-time e-transmission of results as a deliberate assault on Nigeria’s electoral transparency.

Atiku, in a statement posted on his verified X handle, said the move represented a grave setback to reform, undermining transparency, credibility and public trust.

Atiku argued that while democracies worldwide strengthened elections with technology, the Nigeria Senate clings to opacity, preserving loopholes that historically enabled manipulation and disputes.

According to him, real-time transmission is not partisan, but a democratic safeguard that reduces interference, limits manipulation and ensures voters’ choices.

He warned that rejecting it, while adopting face-saving provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act, signalled reluctance to submit elections to genuine public scrutiny and accountability.

The decision, Atiku said, raised troubling questions about the ruling establishment’s commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, Nigerians observe a pattern where reforms promote transparency and face resistance.

He reiterated that democracy must evolve with technology, adding that elections should reflect voters’ will, not manual delays, backroom alterations, procedural excuses or court alone.

The former vice-president urged Nigerians, civil society, the media and international partners to continue to demand an electoral system that reflects modern democratic standards.

“Nigeria deserves transparent, verifiable elections beyond manipulation. Anything less constitutes injustice to voters and a betrayal of democracy. (NAN)