By Peter Adelowo
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has urged the National Assembly to pass an amendment to the Electoral Act that will mandate the electronic transmission of election results from polling units.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) the NBA’s National Executive Council (NEC) emphasized the need for this amendment to strengthen electoral transparency and public confidence.
During their meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State, on February 5, 2026, the NEC discussed a report by NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN), which called for Clause 60, Subsection 3 of the Electoral Act to be amended.
The proposed change would require presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results electronically to the INEC Result Viewing portal immediately after Form EC8A has been signed and countersigned by party agents.
The NBA criticized the current wording of the Electoral Act, which allows results to be transmitted “in a manner prescribed by the Commission,” calling it a loophole that could lead to manipulation and undermine democratic accountability.
The association stressed that clear statutory compulsion, rather than discretionary language, is necessary to ensure transparency and integrity in elections.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed claims that electronic transmission was removed, clarifying that the provision remains in force under the 2022 Electoral Act.
He emphasized that the current provision maintains legal clarity while ensuring secure and standardized processes for result transmission.
The NBA reiterated its commitment to advocating for electoral reforms that reflect the will of the people and enhance Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
