A coalition of over 70 civil society organizations (CSOs) advocating for credible elections, on Friday, insisted on mandatory real-time electronic transmission of 2027 general election results.
The CSOs, which operate via the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, flayed what they described as the Senate’s passage of a retrogressive version of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026.
According to the group, rather than strengthening the country’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 poll, “the Senate’s amendments weaken critical safeguards for transparency, credibility, and public trust in elections.”
They urged the Conference Committee of the National Assembly to retain progressive provisions agreed by the Joint Committees, particularly real-time electronic transmission of results and realistic electoral timelines
The statement, which was made available to Vanguard, read: “The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room expresses grave concern and profound disappointment over the passage by the Senate of a watered-down and retrogressive version of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026.”
“The version passed by the Senate substantially departs from the progressive reforms agreed by the Joint National Assembly Committees on Electoral Matters after extensive consultations with stakeholders.
“Rather than strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 General Elections, the Senate’s amendments weaken critical safeguards for transparency, credibility, and public trust in elections.
“Of particular concern is the Senate’s removal of provisions mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
“This reform enjoys broad public support and is widely recognised as essential to reducing manipulation, enhancing transparency, and restoring confidence in the electoral process.
“By making electronic transmission discretionary, the Senate has reopened loopholes that Nigeria’s electoral reforms were designed to close.
“This decision directly contradicts the position of the House of Representatives, which explicitly approved mandatory real-time transmission during its clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill.
“It is also a troubling retreat from lessons learned during the 2023 General Elections, where the absence of mandatory real-time transmission contributed significantly to disputes, litigation, and widespread public mistrust of election outcomes.
“Equally disturbing is the Senate’s decision to reduce the timeline for the issuance of the Notice of Elections from 360 days to 180 days before polling day.
“The existing timeline under the Electoral Act 2022 was carefully crafted to provide INEC with sufficient lead time for voter registration activities, logistics planning, training and deployment of ad-hoc staff, voter education, and procurement.
“Halving this period will severely constrain preparations, increase operational risks, and heighten the likelihood of avoidable failures.
“Compressed timelines will also negatively affect political parties by squeezing their internal processes, escalating disputes over primaries and nominations, and triggering increased pre-election litigation—further destabilising the electoral calendar.
“Situation Room finds it particularly disturbing that these retrogressive amendments were introduced despite sustained civic engagement.
“On 28 January 2026, Situation Room led a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, calling for the passage of the Bill in the form agreed by the Joint Committees. The Senate’s action reflects a troubling disregard for citizen advocacy and stakeholder consensus.
“While the constitution of a Conference (Harmonisation) Committee is a recognised legislative procedure, it must not become a channel for further weakening electoral reforms. The harmonisation process presents a final opportunity to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
“Situation Room, therefore, calls on the Conference Committee to retain the progressive provisions agreed by the Joint Committees, particularly mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results and realistic electoral timelines.
“We also urge the leadership of the National Assembly to demonstrate statesmanship and ensure that the final Bill strengthens—rather than undermines—Nigeria’s democracy,” the statement, which was jointly signed by the Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Mr. Yunusa Z. Ya’u, and the two Co-Conveners, Mma Odi and Celestine Odo, further read.
Organizations in the coalition include Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), and Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD)
