Public anger has intensified following the Nigerian Senate’s decision to amend the Electoral Act without making electronic transmission of election results fully compulsory. Critics argue that the latest revision weakens electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
During plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, lawmakers approved an amendment permitting electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IREV). However, the revised provision introduces a significant caveat: where electronic transmission fails due to network or communication issues, the manual result sheet, Form EC8A, becomes the primary basis for collation and declaration.
Opponents contend that this fallback provision creates a loophole capable of undermining recent electoral reforms. Civil society organisations, opposition figures, and legal analysts have warned that prioritising manual results in disputed situations risks a return to manipulation associated with pre-reform elections.
Responding to the backlash, Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu insisted that lawmakers would not be intimidated by public criticism. Speaking on a televised programme, he maintained that legislative processes must accommodate differing opinions, adding that the Senate does not “play to the gallery.”
The Obidient Movement, through its National Coordinator Dr. Yunusa Tanko, described the amendment as a “chaotic resolution.” Tanko argued that lawmakers should either fully commit to electronic transmission or address infrastructural gaps such as poor network coverage. He warned that allowing manual collation where electronic transmission is deemed impossible could trigger disputes at polling and collation centres.
Similarly, former PDP National Auditor Ray Nnaji accused lawmakers of deliberately creating loopholes to facilitate manipulation. He asserted that many legislators fear a fully transparent system and alleged that the timing of the amendment suggests an attempt to rush through controversial provisions.
As debate intensifies, observers warn that the controversy could heighten political tensions and significantly shape Nigeria’s electoral landscape ahead of 2027.
