Former senator Dino Melaye has accused the National Assembly of laying the groundwork for election rigging ahead of the 2027 general elections, following reports that the Senate has rejected the electronic transmission of election results. He described the decision as a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
Reacting in a statement issued on Friday, Melaye criticised the Senate’s stance, warning that it signals a dangerous retreat from electoral transparency. According to him, blocking electronic transmission of results amounts to an open endorsement of manipulation and casts doubt on the integrity of future elections. He argued that the move reflects a calculated effort to weaken safeguards designed to protect the will of voters.
The former lawmaker, who is a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the rejection creates fertile ground for fraud and malpractice, insisting that technology remains one of the most effective tools for curbing electoral abuse. He maintained that reversing such reforms undermines democratic progress and risks eroding public confidence in the voting process.
Melaye urged both legislators and ordinary Nigerians to resist what he described as a clear attempt to subvert democracy. He called for collective action to ensure that upcoming elections are conducted in a manner that is transparent, credible and reflective of the people’s choices.
In a related development, the ADC has also strongly condemned the decision of the APC-dominated 10th Senate to block several proposed amendments to the Electoral Act. The party said the rejected reforms were designed to strengthen the credibility of elections and improve the operational effectiveness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement released by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the Senate of deliberately weakening Nigeria’s democratic framework. The party specifically criticised the refusal to approve electronic transmission of results, as well as the rejection of provisions that would have allowed voters to electronically download their voter cards.
The ADC further expressed concern over the Senate’s decision to shorten election notice periods and significantly reduce the timeframe for publishing the final list of candidates. According to the party, these changes could limit transparency and disadvantage opposition parties.
Despite the ruling party’s current political strength, the ADC argued that such actions reveal a deep-seated fear of genuinely free and fair elections in 2027. It warned that continued resistance to electoral reforms could further polarise the political landscape and weaken public trust in the democratic process.
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