By AZEEZAT ADESHOLA
Some civil society organisations have called on the National Assembly’s conference committee to adopt a clear and mandatory framework for the electronic transmission of election results, downloadable voter cards, and the retention of electoral timelines ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups that made the call are the International Press Centre, IPC; the Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO; The Kukah Centre; ElectHer; Nigerian Women Trust Fund; TAF Africa; Yiaga Africa; Spaces for Change; Ward C and the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA.
At a press briefing held at the International Press Centre, Lagos, on Monday, and addressed by the executive director of CEMESO, Dr Akin Akingbulu, and the executive director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, the groups stressed that electronic transmission of results during election should not be discretionary but compulsory.
They therefore urged lawmakers to harmonise the conflicting positions of the Senate and House of Representatives on the Electoral Bill to reinforce transparency and credibility in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The groups specifically recommended retaining the House of Representatives’ provision mandating electronic transmission while avoiding references to a single platform such as the INEC Result Viewing, IReV, portal, arguing that a technology-neutral approach allowes flexibility as electoral technology evolves.
The civil society groups proposed a modification to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Bill, stating that designated election officials “shall electronically transmit all election results in real time, including the number of accredited voters, directly from the polling units and collation centres to a public portal.”
They emphasised that real-time transmission referred to the electronic uploading of officially announced polling unit results immediately after counting, in the presence of party agents, observers, and voters, ensuring results are publicly verifiable before physical collation.
Also speaking at the occasion, Dr Joachim Onwe of Spaces for Change noted that transparent electronic transmission was only one aspect of broader electoral reforms.
He spoke about pre-election violations that he explained, was capable of limiting citizens’ participation, including attacks on party members switching parties and linking employment verification to political registration.
“These issues affect the impact of elections on citizens. Our advocacy must address both the process and these pre-election matters,” he said.
Robert Egbe of CAPPA also spoke in favour of the push for electronic transmission, describing it as essential for credibility.
“The world is moving forward. Money transfers, everything is going electronic. The government must ensure this becomes a reality. Fixing transmission of results is a major step toward transparency and reducing post-election complaints,” he said.
The recommendations by the different groups form part of broader submissions to the conference committee, tasked with reconciling differences in the Senate and House versions of the Electoral Bill.
The groups called on the committee to prioritise legal clarity, democratic accountability, and institutional integrity, stressing that downloadable PVCs and preserved electoral timelines were critical to reducing disenfranchisement and strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
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