A coalition of civil society groups under the banner of the Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has strongly criticised the Senate’s decision to remove the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, describing the move as a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group, in a statement issued in Abuja by its Media Coordinator, Comrade James Ezema, said the Senate’s action amounted to a calculated sabotage of the will of Nigerians and a retreat from transparency in the electoral process.
According to the coalition, mandatory electronic transmission of results from polling units is a basic safeguard against result manipulation, ballot rewriting, and post-election fraud, warning that its removal could deepen public distrust in elections.
“MCE categorically rejects the decision of the National Assembly, through the Senate, to remove and refuse the mandatory electronic transmission of election results as proposed in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026,” the statement read.
The group accused lawmakers of choosing secrecy over openness and manipulation over credibility, insisting that blocking compulsory electronic transmission exposes elections to abuse and elite interference.
“This is not lawmaking; it is deliberate democratic sabotage. Mandatory electronic transmission is not controversial. It is the minimum standard required to protect the integrity of elections. Any legislature that blocks it is openly defending a system that thrives on electoral fraud and stolen mandates,” MCE stated.
The coalition further argued that rejecting mandatory transmission could sustain a system where election results remain vulnerable to manipulation between polling units and collation centres, warning that such a scenario could be exploited in 2027.
It also warned that continued lack of transparency could fuel voter apathy and weaken public confidence in elections, potentially pushing citizens to express political grievances outside the ballot box.
MCE added that opaque election outcomes had encouraged impunity and enabled the courts to become tools for mandate acquisition by the highest bidders, rather than impartial arbiters of justice.
The group alleged that Nigeria’s political class fears technological transparency because it exposes electoral malpractice, adding that the Senate’s decision reflected an unwillingness to submit to open and competitive elections.
As part of its response, MCE called on its partners and supporters to proceed with planned peaceful mass protests under the Occupy NASS movement, urging Nigerians across all sectors — including students, workers, traders, professionals, women, youth, community leaders, the media, and the international community — to speak out against any attempt to return the country to what it described as the era of manual manipulation and backroom results.
The coalition also announced plans to converge in Lagos on Monday, February 9, to address the international community on the dangers of another compromised election cycle in Nigeria.
The Steering Council of the newly launched MCE includes prominent political and civic figures such as Dr Usman Bugaje, Prof. Pat Utomi, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, Hajia (Dr) Bilikisu Magoro, Comrade Ene Obi, Comrade Salisu Mohammed, and Comrade Bala Zakka.
Akpabio: Senate Will Not Be Intimidated
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed claims that the Senate had rejected electronic transmission of results, insisting that the amendment process was still ongoing and that lawmakers would not be pressured into decisions.
Akpabio made the remarks in Abuja during the public presentation of a book titled The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria, written by Senator Effiong Bob.
He said the controversy surrounding Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act was premature, noting that the Senate had yet to conclude harmonisation and approve the final votes and proceedings.
“We have not completed the process. There is still room for amendments before the final approval. Why abuse the Senate over something that is not yet concluded?” Akpabio asked.
He stressed that the Senate only removed the phrase “real-time” to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) flexibility in determining the most practical method of result transmission.
According to him, making real-time transmission mandatory could create serious challenges in areas with poor network coverage or electricity supply, potentially leading to disputes and disenfranchisement.
“Technology must serve democracy, not endanger it. If you insist on real-time transmission in areas without network or power, you risk invalidating elections in those places,” Akpabio said.
He added that electronic transmission remains part of the law as provided in the 2022 Electoral Act, with INEC retaining discretion over the operational details.
Background
The National Assembly is currently finalising amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections. One of the most debated provisions has been Clause 60(3), which addresses how results from polling units are transmitted and reported.
While many civil society organisations and political stakeholders have called for mandatory real-time electronic upload of results to INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal to curb manipulation, some lawmakers argue that Nigeria’s infrastructure limitations make such a requirement impractical.
Following the Senate’s decision to retain electronic transmission without a compulsory real-time mandate, the bill is expected to proceed to a harmonisation committee with the House of Representatives before being forwarded to the President for assent.
The debate has continued to spark national concern, highlighting the deep public interest in ensuring credible, transparent, and widely accepted elections in 2027.
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MCE Condemns Senate’s Rejection of Mandatory Electronic Transmission in Electoral Bill
