The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has slammed the Senate, accusing lawmakers of playing a waiting game that could derail crucial electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Saturday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that dragging their feet on amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 could spark serious compliance and eligibility pitfalls if not resolved in good time.
The ADC stressed that mandatory electronic voter accreditation and result transmission are bare-minimum safeguards for a credible 2027 election and must not be derailed by legislative foot-dragging.
The party pointed out that the new measures require ample time for political parties and INEC to fully grasp the rules, cautioning that vague guidelines could turn into booby traps for opposition parties.
“Lack of clarity as to the electoral guidelines would not only serve as booby traps for opposition political parties, but also make it difficult for INEC to prepare sufficiently and set clear guidelines within stipulated time,” the statement said.
Highlighting the rule that obliges INEC to publish election notices at least 360 days before the general polls, ADC warned that the clock was already ticking.
“The implication of this is that even now, there is very little time left for adjustments,” it said.
The party, therefore, urged a swift passage of the bill, stressing that further delays could throw the 2027 elections into jeopardy.
