2027 Elections: The battle over result transmission
Debate Over Electronic Result Transmission Intensifies in Nigeria
By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja
During Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, Tony Okoronkwo, a spare-parts dealer from Apo Mechanic Village, watched as a festive environment at his polling unit turned tense. After spending nearly nine hours at Jabi Primary School in Abuja, voters were relieved when ballots were finally counted and results announced. However, the subsequent uploading of those results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal did not occur.
According to Okoronkwo, the Presiding Officer, a National Youth Service Corps member, refused to transmit the results, citing instructions from a superior. As unrest grew among the crowd, police intervened to escort the officer away, preventing potential violence.
“It wasn’t about who won,” Okoronkwo remarked. “People just wanted the result uploaded immediately so everyone could see it.” This episode highlighted for him how the credibility of elections can hinge on specific procedural choices at individual polling units.
Three years later, as lawmakers discuss the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 in preparation for the 2027 elections, the issue of immediate result transmission has resurfaced as a contentious point in Nigeria’s electoral reform discussions.
Legislative Disagreement on Transparency
The National Assembly is grappling with differing versions of the amendment bill. Both chambers have proposed changes but have yet to reach a consensus, forming a joint conference committee to reconcile their positions before sending the final version to the president.
Central to this dispute is the proposal for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of polling-unit results. The House of Representatives has endorsed amendments requiring presiding officers to upload results immediately alongside manual collation. Advocates argue this measure will enhance transparency and mitigate manipulation risks during result collation.
Conversely, the Senate has retained language from the Electoral Act of 2022, allowing electronic transmission “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission,” which leaves the decision to upload results at the discretion of the electoral body, rather than making it a legal requirement.
Some senators assert that electronic transmission remains intact in the law, while critics contend that the distinction between optional and mandatory could significantly impact uniformity in transparency across Nigeria.
Additional Points of Contention
Lawmakers are also divided on issues related to expanding voter access and adjusting electoral timelines. The House of Representatives has proposed allowing eligible voters to download electronic Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the electoral commission’s portal to mitigate disenfranchisement caused by distribution delays. The Senate, however, has rejected this provision, insisting on the requirement for physical PVCs.
Additionally, the timelines for electoral preparation differ between chambers. The Senate version shortens the statutory notice period for elections and reduces deadlines for submitting and publishing candidate lists. In contrast, the House seeks to maintain longer timelines to facilitate thorough preparation and logistics planning.
Election observers, such as YIAGA Africa, caution that the outcome of these deliberations will influence both administrative practices and public confidence in the electoral system ahead of the 2027 elections.
Public Concern Over Transparency
The Senate’s approach has provoked strong reactions from activists, civil society organizations, and political analysts, many of whom fear that diminishing transparency measures could further erode public trust in the electoral process. Civic commentator Usifo Osmond emphasized the importance of robust electoral reforms, stating, “Nigeria must not move backward.”
Political activist John Victor also voiced concerns, declaring, “Rejecting mandatory real-time transmission keeps the door open for manipulation at collation centers.” He noted that Nigerians are demanding stronger safeguards following previous elections.
For voters like Okoronkwo, the implications of this legislative debate are personal and immediate. “If the rules are clear and followed everywhere, people will trust the process,” he explained. “But when outcomes depend on personal discretion without clear guidelines, that is when suspicion begins.”
As the National Assembly’s conference committee continues its work, the decisions made will likely shape not just electoral procedures but also the overall integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. For millions of Nigerians preparing to vote in 2027, the final law may ultimately determine whether their votes are counted and reported without interference or manipulation.
