Civil Society Warns Fast-Tracked Electoral Act Undermines Transparency

By Julian Osamoto

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has criticised the swift presidential assent to amendments to the Electoral Act, warning that key gaps on electronic transmission of election results remain unresolved.

At a news conference in Abuja on Friday, Mma Odi Co-Convener of the group said the law was signed without making transmission of results to the IReV portal mandatory, despite repeated public calls for stronger safeguards to guarantee transparency in result management.

The coalition said the omission could signal tolerance for opacity in the electoral process at a time Nigerians are demanding stronger democratic institutions.

According to the Situation Room, electronic transmission of results is a core accountability mechanism needed to ensure credible elections. It said leaving the provision subject to network availability introduces ambiguity that could be exploited to manipulate results, weaken verification and erode public trust.

The group cited past court rulings involving the Independent National Electoral Commission, including the Supreme Court decisions in Oyetola v. INEC and Atiku v. INEC, which held that the Electoral Act 2022 did not expressly mandate electronic transmission of results. It said the National Assembly missed an opportunity to correct the gap.

The coalition listed its concerns, saying the amended law falls short of minimum standards for credible elections, weakens electoral integrity safeguards and risks reversing public confidence gained in recent polls

“Electronic transmission of results is not merely a technological preference; it is a democratic accountability mechanism. By leaving its implementation subject to the availability of connectivity rather than compulsory, the law introduces ambiguity that could be exploited to manipulate results”
“It also weaken verification processes, and erode citizens’ confidence in electoral outcomes. This contradicts years of reform advocacy, stakeholder consultations, and lessons learned from recent elections and election petitions.”

It calls for an urgent legislative review to make electronic transmission compulsory without conditions and announced plans for further advocacy, including a National Day of Action.