Electoral Act: Coalition of CSOs Warns 2027 Elections May Be Compromised

As the Senate convenes an emergency session today to deliberate amendments to the Electoral Act, a broad coalition of civil society organisations has issued a stern warning: further delays could plunge the nation into legal uncertainty and imperil preparations for the 2027 general election.

The groups urged the National Assembly Conference Committee on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill to adopt the House of Representatives’ provision mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results. They argued that rejecting this safeguard risks reopening the old wounds of disputed elections and eroding public trust in the democratic process.

The coalition—made up of the Centre for Media Society, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, Elect Her, Yiaga Africa, The Albino Foundation, and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund—said its intervention became necessary following the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of results.

Yesterday, the push for electoral credibility spilled onto the grounds of the National Assembly as former presidential candidate Peter Obi joined hundreds of protesters. The demonstrators accused lawmakers of attempting to undermine the integrity of the 2027 polls through legislative backdoors.

Adding his voice, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, backed the call for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results, warning that failure to amend the law would perpetuate election disputes and weaken Nigeria’s democratic standing.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) also raised concerns over the controversy surrounding the Senate’s stance, while the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) expressed what it described as “unquantifiable shock and unrelenting consternation” at the rejection of the amendment compelling INEC to transmit results electronically in real time.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on behalf of the CSOs, Mr. Jake Epelle criticised reports that the Senate had removed the proposed 10-year ban for offences linked to the buying and selling of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs). He warned that the sharp divergence between the Senate and the House of Representatives carried serious consequences for the credibility of the 2027 elections.

Epelle noted that the prolonged amendment process had created legal uncertainty around INEC’s constitutionally mandated preparations. Under Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC is required to issue notice of elections at least 360 days before polling day. Yet, he said, ongoing legislative wrangling had stalled the release of the 2027 election timetable, potentially placing the commission in breach of existing law.

While stressing that the Electoral Act 2022 remains in force until amended, the CSOs insisted that the pending bill does not suspend INEC’s statutory obligations. They therefore called on the commission to release the timetable and schedule for the 2027 elections without further delay.

On electronic transmission of results, the groups urged the conference committee to adopt the House position, with a technology-neutral refinement. They cautioned that naming specific platforms such as the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal in the law could create rigidity, as evolving technology would then require repeated legislative amendments.

Instead, they proposed language similar to existing provisions on voter accreditation, which allow the use of “BVAS or any other technological device,” combining mandatory action with operational flexibility.

The CSOs recommended that Clause 60(3) be amended to read: “The designated election official shall electronically transmit all election results in real time, including the number of accredited voters, directly from polling units and collation centres to a public portal, and the transmitted results shall be used to verify any other result before collation.”