The Osun State chapter of the Accord has reacted to the Senate’s decision rejecting electronic transmission of election results.
The party warned that the move could complicate Nigeria’s evolving electoral framework.
In a statement issued by its Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, in Osogbo on Thursday, the party said the legislative decision marked a significant setback at a time when the country is attempting to consolidate reforms introduced into its electoral process.
Akande noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) already relies on technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), for voter verification during elections.
According to the party, “it is inconsistent to approve electronic accreditation of voters while retaining manual methods for transmitting results from the same polling units.
“The electoral process should be coherent and predictable. You cannot adopt technology halfway and expect credibility at the end of the exercise.”
The party stated that maintaining manual transmission alongside electronic accreditation could increase disputes arising from elections and weaken public trust in declared outcomes.
It added that modern democracies increasingly depend on technology-driven result management systems to minimise human interference and post-election litigation.
Accord questioned the rationale behind the Senate’s position, saying the decision raises concerns about Nigeria’s willingness to align its electoral practices with global standards.
“The refusal to embrace electronic transmission leaves room for uncertainty and potential controversy that electoral reforms were designed to eliminate,” the party said.
Akande also called for a review of the decision in the interest of electoral stability.
The Osun Accord statement has added to a growing list of reactions that have trailed the Senate’s decision since Wednesday.
The Osun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had earlier on Thursday criticised the rejection of electronic transmission of election results.
The party also described the decision as inconsistent with existing electoral technologies already deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
