Nigeria’s Senate rejected a proposal for real-time electronic transmission of election results, a decision that has intensified public debate over electoral integrity and prompted a former lawmaker to urge direct constituent engagement.
The upper chamber, on Wednesday, voted against an amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3 of the Electoral Amendment Bill. The proposed change would have mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit results from polling units in real time during elections. The clause’s failure means the existing provision, which allows but does not compel electronic transmission, remains in place.
The rejection drew swift criticism from civil society groups and ordinary citizens, who expressed concerns about the potential for result manipulation in future elections, particularly the 2027 general election. Critics directed their anger at Senate leadership, including President Godswill Akpabio. However, some politicians and analysts defended the vote, cautioning that the nation’s inconsistent network coverage could disrupt the process and create logistical failures.
In response, former Senator Shehu Sani advised Nigerians to channel their frustrations toward their directly elected representatives. In a social media post, he stated that citizens should express approval or disapproval directly to the senator representing their state district, rather than focusing solely on national figures like the Senate President or the President.
“The lawmakers have rejected the real-time electronic transmission of results,” Sani wrote. “If you like what they did or you don’t like what they did, you should be courageous enough to go to the social media handle of the lawmaker representing your constituency and express your happiness or bitterness. Don’t focus on the President or Akpabio, who is just representing a district in Akwa Ibom. Be brave enough to mention your Senator by name on your handle.”
Sani’s advice underscores a growing call for grassroots political accountability. With the Electoral Amendment Bill now pending further legislative action, the public’s ability to influence their local lawmakers may become a critical factor in future attempts to reform Nigeria’s voting process. The episode highlights the ongoing tension between technological electoral reforms and practical infrastructure challenges, while reminding citizens of their role in the democratic process beyond national headlines.
