Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has publicly thrown her support behind the compulsory real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing the failure to implement such a system as a serious threat to Nigeria's democracy.
Her statement comes in the wake of the Senate's recent rejection of a proposed amendment to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. On Wednesday, lawmakers turned down a change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, which would have required presiding officers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload polling unit results directly to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal in real time, immediately after completing and signing the result forms.
The decision has triggered widespread criticism and concerns over potential vote manipulation in the upcoming 2027 general elections, with many Nigerians and civil society groups viewing the move as a step backward from gains made in electoral transparency.
In a post on her Facebook page on Thursday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan clearly stated her position: “I, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan supports the real-time Electronic Transmission of results. Failure of such stealth is a lethal assault on Nigeria’s democracy.”Her endorsement aligns with broader calls for reforms to enhance credibility in the electoral process, particularly after controversies surrounding result collation in past elections.
Supporters argue that mandatory real-time transmission would minimize opportunities for alteration or snatching of ballot boxes during physical collation.The Senate, however, has maintained that electronic transmission remains part of the existing law and was not entirely rejected—though the specific proposal for compulsory real-time upload was not adopted.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has pushed back against claims of outright rejection, insisting the chamber did not remove the provision but opted against making real-time transmission mandatory in the amended bill.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's stance has drawn praise from some quarters, including youth groups and online commentators who see it as a principled stand in favor of transparent elections.
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lol, Natasha, sorry to say but you're an olodo.. you're in the Senate, you're part of the national assembly, you're not to come out and start talking rubbish.. the decison was taken as " the senate" not as Akpabio or an individual person
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