The Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOS) has appealed to the House of Representatives to help Nigerians eliminate the potential ambiguities and confusion the Senate version of the Electoral Act amendment are likely to cause in the collation of election results as the country helds towards the 2027 electoral cycle.
The Conference while condemning the Senate’s version of the amendment of the Electoral Act which says election results will be transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC portal, electronically and manually version, noting that it is capable of causing confusion and raises serious concerns.
In a press statement by the group titled “The Senate Passage of Optional Mode Election Results Transmission,” signed by Comrade Dr Bartholomew Okoudo and Comrade Ibrahim Momoh, President and Director of Publicity respectively, stressed that manual transmission of election results is prone to manipulation, delays, human interference, and post-election disputes.
“We acknowledge the passage by the Senate of the provision allowing for option transmission of election results—both electronic and manual—as part of the ongoing amendments to Nigeria’s electoral framework.While this decision is presented as a compromise, it raises serious concerns about the integrity, transparency, and credibility of future elections.
“Nigeria’s recent electoral history shows that manual processes are the weakest link in our elections—prone to manipulation, delays, human interference, and post-election disputes.The introduction of a optional transmission system risks undermining the gains recorded through technology-driven reforms, particularly electronic transmission, which has proven to enhance transparency, speed, and public confidence in the electoral process. Rather than strengthening trust, this approach may reopen loopholes that technology was meant to close.We emphasize that electoral reforms should be guided by the principles of credibility, certainty, and the will of the people, not political convenience. Any framework that allows conflicting results—manual versus electronic—creates ambiguity and provides fertile ground for electoral malpractice.”
While calling on civil society groups, the media and the citizenry to remain vigilant, CONGOS urged them to continue to engage the legislature on the enactment of Electoral Act that makes real time electronic transmission of results compulsory and tasked the House of Representatives and the National Assembly in general to do the needful.
“We therefore call on: The House of Representatives to critically review this provision in the interest of democratic integrity. The National Assembly to prioritize a clear, unambiguous, and technology-forward transmission process.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain its commitment to transparent and verifiable elections;
“Civil society, the media, and citizens to remain vigilant and engaged throughout the legislative process.Nigeria’s democracy deserves reforms that move it forward—not backward. The credibility of our elections is not negotiable,” the statement said.