Senator Declares End to Election Rigging

The newly amended Electoral Act has effectively rendered electoral manipulation in Nigeria impossible, according to Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, representing Ebonyi North. Speaking on ARISE Television, the lawmaker asserted that the revised legislation shuts the door on rigging by making the electronic transmission of results legally mandatory.

Nwaebonyi highlighted that a pivotal change in the amendment is the replacement of the word “may” with “shall” regarding the transmission of results. This deliberate shift in legal language makes the process a compulsory requirement for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), rather than an optional guideline.

The senator emphasized that the amended Act takes legal precedence over any operational guidelines issued by INEC, including the use of the Result Viewing Portal (IREV). He explained that because the Act is legislation passed by Parliament, it supersedes procedural documents created by the agency, thereby strengthening the legal framework for transparency.

Referencing past legal battles, such as the INEC vs. Atiku Abubakar case from the 2023 election cycle, Nwaebonyi argued that the current amendment would fundamentally alter how future election petitions are adjudicated. He believes this change will compel courts to interpret the law with greater emphasis on technological compliance.

While expressing confidence in the new law, Nwaebonyi called on all political actors to remain vigilant and hold each other accountable to ensure the provisions are strictly followed. The National Assembly had convened an emergency plenary to pass these changes following significant public outcry regarding the integrity of result transmission processes.