Electoral Amendment Bill: We Want Elections To Be Transparent – Ene Obi

Former Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Ene Obi, has renewed calls for greater transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process, saying public confidence in elections depends on a system that guarantees that votes are properly counted.

She made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where she emphasised the need for an electoral framework that reassures voters.

“What we are saying as civil society organisations, we are not the ones contesting the elections. We are saying let there be a transparent means, a system that builds confidence with the people,” she said.

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She noted that voter turnout remains low, reflecting widespread public distrust in the system, and stressed the need for reforms that encourage participation.

“We are the lowest end in terms of the reactions from the public or the numbers of people that can vote in the voter turnout, and what we are saying is let there be a transparent system,” Obi added.

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On the controversy surrounding electronic transmission of election results, Obi said it would be in the Senate’s own interest to pass the bill, especially amid growing scrutiny of the National Assembly.

Her comments followed the Senate’s earlier rejection of a provision in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that sought to make electronic transmission of election results compulsory.

Obi, however, clarified that civil society organisations are not opposed to the Senate.

“We are not against the Senate, they need to know that, and we are happy to hear the other voices from the Senate as well. At least many of them have come out to say more than 90 per cent of Senate is for the electronic transmission,” she said.

She also questioned the hesitation of some lawmakers in the ruling party to support real-time electronic transmission of results.

“If you think you have the majority already, why are you scared of electronic transmission,” Obi questioned.