A senior broadcast executive has warned that proposed amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act could grant Presiding Officers inappropriate discretionary authority, potentially undermining electoral transparency. Sumner Sambo, Director of News and Politics Editor at Arise Television, expressed these concerns during the network’s ‘Morning Show’ on Wednesday.
Sambo’s remarks focus on provisions passed by the Senate regarding the electronic transmission of election results. He asserted that the Constitution does not empower Presiding Officers with discretionary decision-making in this area, stating that laws should provide clear, mandatory procedures instead. According to Sambo, the Senate’s amendment represents an incomplete solution, achieving only about half of the demands made by protest groups and the broader public calling for robust electronic transmission.
The specific amendment allows a Presiding Officer to choose between using electronic transmission or resorting to the manual EC8A form for result collation if network issues arise. Sambo questioned the intent behind this latitude, arguing it concentrates undue power in individual officials. “It calls into question the intention of senators as to what exactly they want with this specific amendment,” he said, noting that the provision places critical electoral outcomes at the discretion of a single officer rather than adhering to a predefined, transparent system.
Sambo emphasized that the public must maintain “eternal vigilance” on this issue, describing the Senate’s action as a “half-measure” that falls short of the full electronic transmission advocates seek. He urged Nigerians to scrutinize the version passed by the House of Representatives, implying it may offer a more definitive approach to the electronic transmission debate.
The comments arrive amid a heated review of Nigeria’s electoral laws, where the reliability and timeliness of result transmission have been central demands from civil society and protesters following past elections. The Senate’s recent hearing and passage of its amendments marked a key stage, but differences with the House of Representatives version necessitate reconciliation before the law can be updated.
The debate centers on balancing technological solutions with practical operational challenges, such as network connectivity in remote areas. Critics of discretionary powers fear they could create avenues for manipulation or delays, while proponents argue they provide necessary flexibility. The final language agreed upon by both legislative chambers will significantly shape how results are compiled and announced in future elections, directly impacting public confidence in the process.
Sambo’s analysis underscores the high stakes of the ongoing legislative process. As Nigeria’s National Assembly works to harmonize the two bills, the provisions on electronic transmission—and the extent of authority given to Presiding Officers—remain a critical point of contention with profound implications for electoral integrity and the credibility of future polls.
