• Obi, CSOs storm N’Assembly, demand direct IReV uploads
• Experts divided as INEC capacity, infrastructure debate deepens
• Editors warn Senate stance may erode voter confidence
• Lawyers urge mandatory transmission to avert post-election disputes

PRESSURE mounted yesterday on the National Assembly ahead of today’s planned harmonisation of the Electoral Act amendment bill, as protests, legal warnings and deep divisions among experts intensified the debate over mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, activist Ms Aisha Yesufu and several civil society organisations staged a protest at the entrance of the National Assembly, demanding that election results be transmitted directly from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal. The protesters were prevented from entering the complex by security operatives, but insisted that lawmakers must retain provisions mandating real-time transmission in the amended law.

The protest came as the Senate prepared to meet in conference with the House of Representatives to reconcile differences in their versions of the Electoral Act amendment, particularly on whether electronic transmission of results should be mandatory or left to the discretion of the electoral commission. While the House endorsed real-time transmission provisions, the Senate version adopted conditional transmission, triggering widespread public criticism.
Civil society groups, legal practitioners, professional bodies and election observers warned that ambiguity in the law could undermine electoral credibility and fuel post-election disputes, urging lawmakers to adopt clear and enforceable provisions that guarantee transparent transmission of results.

However, the feasibility of implementing real-time electronic transmission before the 2027 polls has sharply divided analysts and election administrators, with some insisting that INEC possesses the technical capacity to deploy the system nationwide, while others argued that inadequate infrastructure, legal limitations and funding constraints could make mandatory implementation impracticable within the available timeline.
A former Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) possesses the capacity to transmit election results electronically, urging lawmakers to embed mandatory electronic transmission in the Electoral Act.

Ononamadu expressed surprise at what he described as the Senate’s ambivalent stance on the issue, blaming the Supreme Court’s earlier judgment for creating the legal uncertainty that allowed politicians to question the regulatory framework introduced by INEC. “I was shocked that in the 21st century, some 21st century senators were saying no to mandatory transmission,” he said, adding that the court’s ruling that transmission through the IReV portal lacked constitutional backing had “put us in this mess.”

According to him, INEC’s regulations derive authority from the Electoral Act, which empowers the commission to issue operational guidelines, including the directive used during the 2023 elections requiring results to be uploaded to the IReV portal. While acknowledging that electronic transmission alone cannot eliminate vote buying or other forms of malpractice, he argued that uploading results directly from polling units enhances transparency because “between the polling unit and collation centres, figures cannot change.”

The former REC maintained that the country’s communication infrastructure is sufficient to support electronic transmission, noting that network coverage of varying strengths already exists across most parts of Nigeria. He also pointed to the successful nationwide deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which is used for voter accreditation at polling units, as evidence that the same locations can support result uploads.

Drawing from his experience in the commission, Ononamadu said INEC conducts extensive mapping and technical assessments before deploying electoral technologies and maintains one of the largest election databases in Africa. He therefore argued that the continuing resistance to mandatory electronic transmission reflects political and institutional challenges rather than technological limitations, insisting that strengthening transparency measures is essential to improving public confidence in elections.

But, contrary to the REC’s conclusions, the spokesman to the immediate past INEC National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Mr Lawrence Oyekanmi, doubted the feasibility of real-time transmission of results in the 2027 polls.

Oyekanmi said Nigerians were still confusing the seamless display of polling unit (PU) results with real-time transmission of election results, pointing out that electronic transmission of results would not be feasible for the 2027 general election.

“Without any prompting, and in its desire to ensure free, fair and credible elections, INEC introduced the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal in August 2020. It was first deployed during the Nasarawa Central State Constituency by-election on August 8, 2020.

“However, the Commission made it clear that IReV is not an electronic result collation platform. What this means is that IReV is only meant to display polling unit results, captured on Form EC8A.

“I think Nigerians are confusing the seamless display of PU results with real-time transmission of results. The latter is tied to electronic voting and electronic collation of results, both of which INEC cannot implement at the moment for two reasons. First, existing laws do not recognise or permit electronic voting. Second, the infrastructure required for electronic voting has not been integrated into Nigeria’s electoral system and cannot be put in place before the 2027 general election.”

Oyekanmi explained that what INEC currently has is the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which performs three functions: voter registration, voter accreditation on election day, and uploading polling unit results to the IReV portal. He stressed that, in its present form, BVAS cannot be used for electronic voting.
He noted that what many Nigerians fear is a repeat of the IReV glitches recorded during the 2023 general election, which fuelled widespread conspiracy theories.

“What I would suggest is that the Senate should retain the existing provisions on result transmission as contained in the 2022 Electoral Act. Introducing terms such as ‘mandatory’ and ‘real-time’ electronic transmission of results will not be practicable for the 2027 general election, as it would require electronic voting and electronic collation of results,” he said.
Obi, civil society groups protest at N’Assembly over real-time result transmission

Meanwhile, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, activist Ms Aisha Yesufu and members of the Coalition of Civil Societies Situation Room, alongside other citizens’ groups, yesterday staged a protest at the entrance of the National Assembly, demanding mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The protesters called for election results to be transmitted directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal rather than routed through collation centres.
Obi and other civil society leaders attempted to gain access to the National Assembly complex but were prevented by armed police officers, who said they had been directed not to allow anyone into the premises.

Addressing journalists at the scene, Obi said the protesters chose to remain peaceful despite being denied entry.

“Police said we cannot enter. As law-abiding citizens, we are not part of rascality. We decided to obey that law, but we have conveyed our message to those who are supposed to know,” he said.

“That message is clear: let us have a transparent election process. We are not asking for much; it is something simple. It is for their own future and for the future of their children.

“Today, there are senators and people in power, but we are talking about what we will endure for the future of the country. We need this country, we need unity, we need peace.”

Co-convener of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Comrade Mmah Odi, said the protest was organised to reject any move to dilute provisions of the Electoral Act amendment bill relating to electronic transmission of results.

“We are here to say no to that rejection. We do not want a mutilated bill. We are here, together with other civil society organisations, to say that the bill must be passed. There should be no more mutilation,” he said.

“If you want us to come here again, we will be asking for the resignation of the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio. We are here to say: pass the bill, and we are not going to stop. We are Nigerians. The National Assembly belongs to us. We fought for democracy, and democracy must not be taken away from us.”

Also speaking, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mr Andrew Mamedu, said the protest aimed to draw the attention of lawmakers to the importance of credible electoral processes.

“We are asking senators and members of the government to protect lives. We want to address issues around electronic real-time transmission in our elections. We want to remain peaceful throughout this process, and we will share our messages in due course,” he said.
Ms Yesufu also urged lawmakers to use their constitutional powers to ensure real-time electronic transmission of election results, insisting that this reflects the demand of Nigerians.

“They have the constitutional power and authority to ensure that there is real-time electronic transmission of results. That is all Nigerians are asking for,” she said, adding that concerns about network coverage should not be used as a justification to delay the reform.

Editors raise concern over Senate stance on election result transmission
Also, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) expressed concern over the controversy surrounding the Senate’s position on the transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that it could undermine public trust in the electoral process.

In a statement signed by its President, Mr Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, yesterday, the Guild said the uncertainty created by the Senate’s adoption of provisions in the proposed amendment to the 2022 Electoral Act, allowing election results to be transmitted without making it mandatory and immediate, was already fuelling doubt and mistrust among Nigerians.
According to the editors, the development runs contrary to the expectations of many citizens and lawmakers who have consistently called for compulsory and real-time transmission of results from polling units to central collation centres.

The Guild noted that the resulting public outrage has pitched citizens against the Senate and could discourage voter participation in future elections.

“At a time when Nigerians are demanding mandatory and immediate transmission of election results, and as countries around the world embrace electronic transmission to enhance transparency, the Senate’s position leaves much to be desired,” the statement said.

The NGE described the Senate’s stance as a missed opportunity to strengthen transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process, adding that it undermines ongoing efforts to deepen democratic governance and ensure credible elections.
The editors emphasised that mandatory electronic transmission of election results has become a global standard for improving electoral credibility and efficiency, stressing that Nigeria should not be an exception.
As the Senate is expected to reconvene today to harmonise its position with that of the House of Representatives, the Guild urged the National Assembly to approve mandatory and immediate transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) central servers and collation centres.

The NGE said such a decision would lay a solid foundation for free and fair elections, enhance transparency, efficiency and accuracy, and boost voter confidence. It added that digitalisation of elections would help streamline result management, reduce disputes, minimise controversies and significantly curb electoral fraud.

“Nigerians are watching the National Assembly closely on this issue,” the statement said, warning that anything short of mandatory and immediate transmission of election results would be out of step with contemporary and progressive electoral practices.

Agbakoba, Adegboruwa urge N’Assembly to mandate electronic transmission
In a related development, prominent constitutional lawyer and former Nigerian Bar Association President, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, and human rights lawyer, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), have called on the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that continued legal ambiguity could undermine electoral credibility and prolong post-election litigation.

In a statement titled “Ending the Cycle – Why Electronic Transmission Should Be Enshrined in the Electoral Act Before 2027,” issued yesterday, Agbakoba said Nigeria’s electoral process remains trapped in legal uncertainty due to the absence of clear statutory backing for modern voting innovations. According to him, repeated amendments to the Electoral Act have failed to address structural weaknesses that often leave courts determining election outcomes long after votes have been cast.

“The vicious cycle must end,” he said, adding that the failure to embed strong regulatory processes with express statutory authority has continued to undermine electoral credibility. He noted that although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deployed the Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to support electronic transmission and public viewing of results in the 2023 general election, the Supreme Court ruled that the innovation lacked legal force because it was not expressly provided for in the Electoral Act 2022.

“The message was unmistakable. Without explicit statutory provision, electronic transmission remains optional and legally inconsequential, no matter how transparent or efficient it may be,” Agbakoba said, warning that the absence of statutory backing places a heavy evidentiary burden on election petitioners. “This is precisely because verifying results from over 176,000 polling units within constitutionally limited timelines is a practical impossibility,” he added.

Similarly, Adegboruwa described the debate over electronic transmission as unnecessary at Nigeria’s current stage of democratic development, insisting that mandatory electronic transmission is essential to safeguarding the sanctity of the ballot. He expressed concern over reports suggesting hesitation within the National Assembly on the issue, noting that past elections had been marred by allegations of fraud and manipulation, particularly during collation and transmission of results.

“The pathway to achieving transparency in our electoral process is to reduce human intervention in determining election outcomes,” he said, urging lawmakers to reflect the aspirations of Nigerians by enacting clear provisions that guarantee compulsory electronic transmission of election results.