A coalition of civil society organisations, CSOs, has called on the National Assembly harmonisation committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ position mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results, downloadable voter cards and retention of existing electoral timelines, warning that contrary provisions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The groups also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately issue the notice and timetable for the 2027 elections in compliance with the Nigerian Electoral Act of 2022.
The Coalition made the call at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, warning that the divergent positions between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the electoral amendment bill could negatively affect the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
In a joint statement read by Jake Epelle of TAF Africa, and signed by the Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, IPC, Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Yiaga Africa, the Coalition urged the Senate to adopt all provisions mandating real-time electronic transmission at its emergency plenary on February 10.
Part of the statement read, “The harmonisation deliberations should be guided by national interest, institutional integrity and democratic accountability. Mandatory electronic transmission of results, downloadable PVCs and retention of timelines are essential to credible elections.”
While pointing out that the electoral reform was fundamental to credible democratic transitions, the Coalition insisted that Nigerians would want to follow their votes from the polling units to the final point of result announcement.
The CSOs also urged the National Assembly to ensure it concludes the amendment process and transmits the final bill to the President within two weeks, and tasked the electorate to demand provisions that protect election integrity.
On the delay in the issuance of election timelines, Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa urged INEC to expedite the release of the timetable without waiting for the conclusion of legislative amendments.
Citing Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the commission to issue notice of elections at least 360 days before the polls and based on INEC’s practice of holding general elections on the third Saturday of February, Itodo said the notice should be issued by February 24, 2026.
He warned that delaying the timetable could place the commission in violation of extant laws, stressing that the Electoral Act 2022 remains effective until amended.
He said, “issuing the timetable would fulfil statutory obligations, provide certainty for political parties and civil society actors, and allow any future amendments to be accommodated through transitional provisions.”