The Osun State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the Nigerian Senate for rejecting the electronic transmission of election results, describing the decision as inconsistent, illogical, and a potential ploy to manipulate the upcoming Osun governorship election.

In a statement signed by Abosede Busayo Oluwaseun, Chairman of the Directorate of Media and Publicity, the party emphasized that Nigeria’s electoral system now heavily relies on technology-driven tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which were introduced to enhance credibility and transparency in elections.

“The Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission because of alleged network issues, while fully embracing BVAS and IReV, amounts to speaking from both sides of the mouth,” the statement said. “If Nigeria’s network infrastructure is considered strong enough to accredit voters electronically using BVAS and display results on IReV, it is untenable to argue that the same infrastructure is inadequate for transmitting results electronically.”

The ADC said technology is meant to reduce human interference, not preserve it, and accused the ruling APC and President Tinubu of attempting to erode public trust in the electoral process. “Democracy thrives when institutions evolve to protect the will of the people, not when outdated processes are shielded under the guise of technical excuses,” the statement added.

The party called on all democratic actors to support reforms that enhance electoral credibility and allow INEC the operational independence to deploy technology in ways that ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.

“The future of Nigeria’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the altar of inconsistency,” the statement concluded.