Nigeria’s Senate passed an amendment to the Electoral Act on Thursday that excludes mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, a move that has sparked significant criticism from analysts and opposition figures who warn it could undermine electoral transparency and public trust.
The amendment, which alters provisions for result collation and transmission, was approved despite longstanding civil society and expert advocacy for digital results reporting to reduce opportunities for manipulation. Critics argue the change represents a step backward for electoral integrity.
Mahdi Shehu, a public affairs analyst, described the decision as a severe setback for democratic accountability. In an interview, Shehu contended that rejecting electronic transmission signals a deliberate weakening of the voting process. “When votes will not count, there is no point voting,” he stated, adding that the lack of institutional checks among the executive, legislature, and judiciary has rendered meaningful reform difficult. He also raised concerns about the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging it is influenced by the presidency—a claim INEC has consistently denied.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) echoed these concerns, framing the amendment as a calculated strategy by the ruling party to influence the 2027 general election. Ibrahim Karaye, the NNPP’s Kano State Publicity Secretary, noted that President Bola Tinubu won the 2023 election with a minority of the vote, suggesting the ruling party now seeks to entrench its position. “This is a deliberate political move… to maneuver the outcome of the 2027 election,” Karaye said, while asserting that voter determination remains high and the move would not suppress turnout.
The Senate’s vote occurs against a backdrop of persistent debates over Nigeria’s electoral reforms. Proponents of real-time transmission argue it enhances credibility by allowing immediate public verification of results, a practice used in several democracies. Opponents have cited infrastructure challenges and security risks, though tech experts have disputed these as surmountable.
While the bill now moves toward presidential assent, the controversy highlights deepening political friction over Nigeria’s electoral framework. Observers note that the integrity of result collation remains a pivotal issue following contentious elections in past cycles. With the 2027 election cycle approaching, the debate over technical electoral processes is likely to intensify, as civil society groups and opposition parties vow to monitor INEC’s implementation of the amended act closely. The developments underscore ongoing tensions between legislative action and demands for broader electoral credibility reforms.
