Prominent Nigerians, NLC Condemn Senate over Electronic Transmission of Results

Prominent Nigerians, civil society groups and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have condemned the Senate’s decision to remove the provision making electronic transmission of election results mandatory, warning that the move could undermine transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The controversy followed the Senate’s consideration of amendments to the Electoral Act, during which lawmakers rejected a clause that would have compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically in real time from polling units. Instead, the Senate retained provisions that give INEC discretion over the mode and timing of result transmission. The decision has sparked widespread criticism across political, labour and civic spaces, with critics arguing that mandatory electronic transmission is a critical safeguard against manipulation and a key lesson from past elections. Reacting, the NLC described the Senate’s action as a setback for democratic accountability, warning that ambiguity in the law could erode public confidence in the electoral process. The labour union called on lawmakers to urgently reverse the decision, insisting that clear legal backing for electronic transmission is necessary to guarantee credible elections. The NLC also cautioned that it may mobilise mass action if the concerns of Nigerians are ignored. Several prominent Nigerians and pro-democracy advocates also weighed in. Legal practitioner and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), alongside political economist Pat Utomi and former minister Oby Ezekwesili, criticised the Senate’s move, describing it as a deliberate weakening of electoral safeguards. They argued that leaving such a critical issue to administrative discretion exposes the process to abuse and avoidable disputes. Civil society organisations echoed similar concerns, noting that electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) has become central to public trust in elections. According to them, removing a clear statutory mandate risks repeating controversies that trailed previous polls, where delays and inconsistencies in result transmission fuelled suspicion and litigation. Opposition political parties also faulted the Senate’s action, accusing lawmakers of attempting to roll back modest gains made in electoral transparency. They urged the National Assembly to align with public expectations by strengthening, rather than weakening, the Electoral Act ahead of 2027. However, Senate leadership defended the decision, insisting that lawmakers did not reject electronic transmission outright. Senate President Godswill Akpabio explained that the Senate only removed the requirement for “real-time” transmission to allow INEC flexibility, citing challenges such as poor network coverage, insecurity and infrastructure gaps in some parts of the country. He maintained that INEC should retain the authority to determine the most practical mode of transmitting results. As public pressure mounts, the Senate has scheduled an emergency sitting to address the growing outcry and clarify its position. A conference committee of both chambers of the National Assembly is also expected to harmonise differences in the Electoral Act amendment bill before it is forwarded for presidential assent.