The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the National Assembly’s rejection of Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act amendment bill, describing the move as a dangerous setback to Nigeria’s democratic development.
The clause, which sought to make real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV) mandatory, was voted down by lawmakers on Wednesday.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National President, Comrade Yinka Folarin, and National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Adewunmi N. Adesina, the rights group said the decision amounted to a “deliberate attempt to perpetuate electoral rigging” and weaken transparency in the electoral process.
According to CDHR, the rejection undermines years of advocacy and reform efforts aimed at strengthening the credibility of elections, especially at a time when Nigerians are demanding deeper electoral reforms to restore confidence in democratic institutions.
“The implications of this decision are severe,” the group stated, warning that it increases the risk of manipulation of election results, erodes public trust in governance, and stalls the country’s progress towards credible and accountable elections.
The organisation also accused the Senate leadership of betraying public expectations, insisting that the National Assembly should be consolidating democracy rather than reversing hard-won gains.
“The Akpabio-led Senate should beware of the wrath of the masses,” CDHR warned, while urging lawmakers to immediately reverse what it described as an “unpatriotic decision.”
The group further called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue to demand reforms that promote transparency and accountability in the electoral system.
CDHR pledged to sustain public mobilisation and advocacy against policies it described as anti-people, reiterating its commitment to defending citizens’ rights and resisting actions that undermine democratic governance.
The statement was issued on February 5, 2026.
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