Abuja, Nigeria — A fresh amendment to Nigeria’s Electoral Act by the Senate has ignited widespread criticism, with civil society groups, opposition figures, and political analysts warning that the changes could undermine electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Senate on Tuesday approved an amendment permitting electronic transmission of election results but introduced a controversial provision allowing manual result sheets to prevail where electronic transmission fails due to network or communication challenges.
Under the revised clause, presiding officers are mandated to upload polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV). However, in cases where electronic transmission is unsuccessful, the manual Form EC8A will serve as the primary basis for collation and declaration of results.
The move follows the upper chamber’s earlier rejection of a proposal seeking to make electronic transmission compulsory without exceptions.
Growing Public Backlash
The development has triggered public backlash, with critics accusing the 10th National Assembly of weakening electoral safeguards.
Civil society organizations and opposition stakeholders argue that the amendment creates a loophole that could be exploited to manipulate results, particularly in areas where network failures may be cited.
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, described the Senate’s decision as “a setup for chaos,” insisting that lawmakers should either fully commit to electronic transmission or invest in resolving infrastructure challenges nationwide.
He questioned the justification of poor network coverage in constituencies represented by lawmakers, suggesting that such claims reflect governance failures.
“This approach will only create confusion at polling units and collation centres,” Tanko said, warning that disputes over alleged network failures could heighten post-election tensions.
Allegations of Deliberate Loopholes
Former PDP National Auditor, Ray Nnaji, accused lawmakers of intentionally creating vulnerabilities in the law.
According to him, a fully transparent electoral system could threaten the political survival of many incumbents.
“These are loopholes designed for manipulation,” Nnaji said, adding that public pressure would ultimately determine whether the amendment survives in its current form.
He also cautioned that sustained resistance could disrupt electoral preparations if the amendment process becomes prolonged.
Politicians Accused of Leadership Failure
President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), Barrister Olu Omotayo, criticized Nigerian politicians for failing to pursue comprehensive electoral reforms immediately after the 2023 general elections.
Omotayo argued that mandatory electronic transmission requires deliberate investment in telecommunications infrastructure, noting that a significant percentage of rural areas remain without network coverage.
He described the amendment as largely cosmetic, saying it does not significantly improve upon existing provisions.
“We are back to the status quo,” he said. “Electoral reform should be continuous, not a last-minute exercise.”
“Electoral Banditry” Warning
Public affairs analyst Nduka Odo of Peaceland University, Enugu, went further, describing the amendment as an endorsement of “electoral banditry.”
Odo alleged that similar loopholes were exploited during the 2023 elections, leading to discrepancies between results uploaded on IReV and those manually collated.
He urged Nigerians to resist what he termed a self-serving legislative action.
Senate Defends Position
Despite the backlash, Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu insisted that the chamber would not be intimidated by public criticism.
“We are not to be intimidated,” he said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, emphasizing that democratic lawmaking accommodates diverse opinions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that a 12-member harmonization committee has been constituted to reconcile differences between the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the bill.
Akpabio expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would sign the amended Electoral Act into law before the end of February.
What Lies Ahead
With political tensions rising and the 2027 elections on the horizon, the amendment has reopened debates about electoral integrity, transparency, and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process.
As the harmonization process continues, attention now shifts to President Tinubu’s desk — and whether the final legislation will address growing public concerns or deepen divisions over the future of Nigeria’s elections.
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