The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the leadership of the 10th Senate of resisting critical electoral reforms, insisting that Nigerians overwhelmingly demand a clear legislative mandate for real-time electronic transmission of election results.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party expressed concern over what it described as “unimaginable and unpatriotic resistance” to reforms contained in the proposed Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2026.
The SDP alleged that ongoing attempts to weaken provisions for electronic transmission of results run contrary to the popular will expressed by Nigerians during nationwide public hearings conducted in 2025.
According to the party, citizens across the country had unequivocally demanded reforms that would strengthen transparency and restore confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process, especially in the wake of controversies that trailed the 2023 general elections.
The party identified the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as critical tools for credible elections, noting that they help reduce human error and prevent manipulation of results during manual collation and transportation.
“It is no longer deniable that the majority of our current senators who are true patriots, as well as the electoral umpire itself, want Nigeria to move forward in ensuring the integrity of our elections,” the statement said, citing what it described as the positive disposition of the new leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The SDP, however, warned that what it termed “self-serving cabals” within the Senate leadership must not be allowed to undermine the country’s democratic progress.
It demanded that the new Electoral Act 2026 must contain “an unambiguous legislative mandate” compelling the real-time electronic transmission of results by polling unit presiding officers, to prevent legal ambiguities and future manipulation.
The party argued that INEC has demonstrated the technical capacity and infrastructure to transmit results electronically and should be allowed to discharge its responsibilities without political interference.
Calling for civic vigilance, the SDP urged citizens, civil society organisations and pro-democracy groups to resist any attempt to dilute reforms aimed at strengthening electoral credibility.
“The nation cannot afford a repeat of the credibility challenges witnessed in 2023,” the party stated, adding that safeguarding the integrity of the 2027 general elections must be treated as a national priority.
The statement was signed by Aiyenigba and dated February 6, 2026.
