By Ezekiel Thomas
A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations (CSOs) has raised alarms over potential risks to the credibility of the 2027 general elections, urging the National Assembly to finalise amendments to the Electoral Act without further delay.
The CSOs—including Centre for Media Society, The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, Elect Her, Yiaga Africa,
The Albino Foundation, and Nigerian Women Trust Fund—warned that protracted legislative disagreements, particularly over real-time electronic transmission of results, have created legal uncertainty that could compromise INEC’s preparations.
They called for the adoption of the House of Representatives’ position on Clause 60(3), which mandates real-time transmission of election results from polling units to a public portal.
Prominent voices, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, SAN Olisa Agbakoba, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), supported the push for electronic transmission, emphasizing that delays and ambiguities in the law perpetuate electoral disputes and undermine public trust.
Obi joined a protest outside the National Assembly, insisting that credible elections are essential for national stability.
CSOs also highlighted the importance of technological flexibility in the law, recommending that statutory references allow for evolving platforms rather than specifying a single portal.
They stressed maintaining existing electoral timelines and ensuring downloadable PVCs to prevent voter disenfranchisement.
The groups warned that failure to act decisively could threaten Nigeria’s democratic credibility, urging the Senate to harmonize with the House of Representatives and submit the final bill to the President promptly.
This development underscores growing public demand for transparent elections and the critical role of legislative action in safeguarding democratic processes ahead of the 2027 polls.
