Kenneth Okonkwo Criticizes Nigerian Senate for Undermining Democracy in Electoral Act Amendment

Kenneth Okonkwo, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticized the Nigerian Senate for amending the Electoral Act. He accuses the Senate, led by Godswil Akpabio, of undermining Nigeria's democracy by amending Section 60 of the Electoral Act to permit electronic transmission of election results but making it non-mandatory.

Okonkwo argues that this amendment weakens the intent of electronic transmission and could lead to technical glitches during elections. He points out that a similar justification was given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 presidential elections when electronic transmission reportedly failed.

Okonkwo urges Nigerians to resist the Senate's attempts to weaken electoral safeguards. The Senate's amendment, proposed by Senator Moham Monguno, has sparked controversy, with critics rejecting the non-mandatory provision for electronic transmission.

Okonkwo emphasizes the importance of making electronic transmission of election results mandatory to ensure transparency and legitimacy in the electoral process.