Pressure mounted on the Senate on Monday as the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room called for the immediate adoption of unconditional electronic transmission of election results in the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act, warning that any compromise could undermine public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At a protest staged at the entrance of the National Assembly of Nigeria in Abuja, the coalition accused the Senate of weakening key safeguards in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025 by introducing what it termed “conditional transmission” of results.
Addressing demonstrators, Co-Convener of the Situation Room and Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said Nigerians were demanding a clear and mandatory provision compelling real-time electronic transmission of results directly from polling units without exceptions.
“Our future is in our hands because we voted for these representatives. On behalf of Nigerians, we are stating unequivocally that electronic transmission of results must be mandatory and without conditions,” Mamedu said.
The coalition argued that the Senate’s version departs from understandings reached during earlier consultations between stakeholders and the Joint National Assembly Committee on Electoral Matters. It warned that inserting discretionary clauses could create legal ambiguities capable of exploitation during elections.
The protesters urged the conference committee harmonising the Senate and House versions of the bill to adopt the House of Representatives’ position, which makes real-time electronic transmission from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal compulsory.
According to the group, anything short of mandatory transmission risks reviving controversies that trailed previous elections and could erode voter confidence in the electoral system.
The coalition also demanded the retention of the 360-day election notice timeline contained in earlier drafts of the amendment, stressing that predictable timelines are essential for planning, voter education and logistics.
In a letter presented to lawmakers, the group stated that rather than strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework, the Senate amendment weakens safeguards necessary for credibility and public trust.
Responding to concerns over network coverage and technical feasibility, the coalition maintained that real-time transmission is achievable, citing high transmission rates recorded in off-cycle governorship elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states. It argued that areas without connectivity constitute only a small fraction of polling units nationwide and that results can be securely stored and transmitted once network access is restored.
Civil society organisations also criticised remarks attributed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio questioning the practicality of real-time transmission, insisting that the required infrastructure is already in place.
At the rally, women’s advocacy groups expanded the protest to demand accelerated passage of the special seats bill for women as part of ongoing constitutional amendments, arguing that electoral integrity must be matched with inclusive representation.
Responding on behalf of the House, spokesperson Akin Rotimi assured protesters that their concerns would be relayed to the chamber’s leadership. He said the Speaker supports the amendment, while the Deputy Speaker is among its sponsors.
Rotimi acknowledged the low representation of women in the legislature as a serious injustice and pledged that constitutional amendment proposals, including provisions for reserved seats for women, would be subjected to electronic voting.
Despite the assurances, the Situation Room vowed to sustain advocacy until the final version of the bill guarantees compulsory, real-time electronic transmission of results and restores what it described as the spirit of reform demanded by Nigerians.
“This is about protecting the people’s mandate,” the protesters said. “We will not relent until the law reflects the will of the citizens.”
