Pressure Mounts on Lawmakers to Lock In Electronic Result Transmission Before 2027 Elections

A coalition of civil society organisations and pro-democracy groups has stepped up demands for stronger electoral reforms, urging Nigeria’s National Assembly to make electronic transmission of election results compulsory ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The groups argue that leaving digital result transmission optional could weaken transparency and open the door to disputes after voting. According to them, the law should clearly require polling unit results to be uploaded electronically and immediately to a central platform to protect the integrity of the process.

They are specifically calling on lawmakers reconciling differences in proposed amendments to the Electoral Act to adopt stricter language that removes ambiguity around technology use in elections. Reform advocates say clear rules will improve voter confidence and reduce post-election controversies.

Labour and civic activists have also organized public demonstrations, pressing legislators to prioritise election credibility. Some organisations warned that if firm safeguards are not included in the final law, nationwide protests could follow.

However, some stakeholders caution that enforcing mandatory electronic transmission nationwide may face technical and connectivity challenges in remote areas. Despite this, reform groups insist that technology-driven transparency remains essential for credible future elections.