The National Assembly has introduced a bill seeking to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory, a move aimed at strengthening transparency and public trust in future polls.

The proposal, currently under joint consideration by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, seeks to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to remove the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) discretion on how results are transmitted.
Under existing law, INEC determines whether results are sent electronically or manually — a flexibility critics say contributed to irregularities and confusion during the 2023 general elections.

The new bill also proposes that the 2027 general elections be held in November 2026, six months before the expiration of current terms, to ensure that all petitions are resolved before newly elected leaders are sworn in.

Among other reforms, the legislation introduces early voting for security officers, journalists, INEC staff, and accredited observers.
It also allows voting without a permanent voter card and mandates simultaneous electronic and manual result transmission to enhance credibility.

Legal expert Kunle Adegoke, while speaking on Arise TV, described the initiative as a bold step beyond scheduling reform.
“It would help end the era of swearing-in leaders while legal disputes remain unresolved,” he said.

Civil society groups, including the Nigeria Electoral Reform Coalition, have welcomed the proposal as a necessary step toward restoring confidence in the electoral process.

However, some opposition parties, such as the African Democratic Congress, have warned that shifting the election date could disrupt governance and administrative planning.

The National Assembly’s committees are expected to hold further hearings in the coming weeks, with lawmakers pledging swift passage before the 2026 political calendar begins.