In a joint statement released Wednesday, the civil society organizations described the Senate’s actions as a significant step backward for democratic accountability and electoral transparency in Nigeria. The coalition includes the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Kukah Center, International Press Centre (IPC), Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa, and Yiaga Africa.
The groups emphasized that with public confidence in the electoral process already fragile, Nigeria cannot afford legal changes that reduce transparency or weaken oversight mechanisms.
According to previous reports, the Senate rejected several key reform proposals, including provisions for real-time electronic transmission of election results and allowing voters to download Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) when they are missing or unissued.