CSOs raise concerns over Senate’s revised clause on e-transmission of poll results

Urge NASS Conference Committee to adopt Reps’ provision on mandatory e-transmission

Dickson urges conference committee to back Reps’ version

Civil society organisations have expressed concern over the Senate’s revised Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Bill, warning that new conditions attached to the electronic transmission of election results could undermine electoral integrity.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the CSOs, Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa and Yiaga Africa, welcomed the senate’s decision to reverse its earlier position.

They however, described certain insertions in the clause as problematic.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at an emergency plenary on Feb. 10, the senate rescinded its earlier rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of results from polling units and adopted a provision permitting electronic transmission “as long as it does not fail.”

The revised clause, however, designates Form EC8A as the primary source of election results and expands the senate’s conference committee membership from six to 12 members to align with the House of Representatives.

The CSOs said that the conditional language — “provided if it fails and it becomes impossible to transmit” — introduced ambiguity and dangerous discretion into the results management process.

According to them, the bill does not clearly define what constitutes a failure, how such failure should be documented or what verification mechanisms should apply, thereby creating a potential loophole that could weaken transparency safeguards.

They also questioned the decision to designate Form EC8A as the “primary source” of results, arguing that while polling unit results were legally significant, failing to accord equal status to electronically transmitted results could diminish their value as a transparency tool.

According to them, electronic transmission is not merely symbolic but a structural safeguard designed to reduce manipulation between polling unit declaration and collation.

The coalition warned that making the process optional or conditional weakens its deterrent effect and undermines the creation of an immediate, verifiable audit trail.

They urged the National Assembly’s Conference Committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ provision on mandatory electronic transmission.

The CSOs argued that it was better adopted since it comes with proposed modifications requiring designated election officials to transmit all results in real time — including the number of accredited voters — directly to a public portal.

They also called for transmitted results to be used to verify any other result before collation.

Additionally, they recommended adopting the House’s position approving downloadable records of missing and unissued voters’ cards to prevent voter disenfranchisement.

On electoral timelines, the CSOs advocated for retaining existing provisions in the 2022 Electoral Act and the House’s bill, including 360 days’ notice for elections, 180 days for submission of candidate lists and 150 days for publication of nominations by INEC.

They also called for meaningful participation of civil society and technical experts in the conference committee’s deliberations.

While noting that sustained civic advocacy prompted the senate’s reversal, the groups, however, said that the process remained incomplete.

The coalition called on Nigerians, the media, political parties, technology experts and other stakeholders to remain vigilant as the legislation progresses, stressing that the credibility of future elections would depend on getting Clause 60(3) right.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Sen. Seriake Dickson, has urged the Conference Committee working on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 to back the House of Representatives’ version in its entirety.

Dickson, a member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, the House of Representatives version reflects what the joint committees, consultants and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) agreed upon.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate had on Tuesday rescinded its earlier decision on the Electoral Act amendment.

It had rejected the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) after vote counting.

The upper chamber consequently re-amended the Electoral Act to accommodate the electronic transmission of results.

However, the provision comes with a caveat, that in the event of internet failure, Form EC8A will serve as the primary means of result collation.

Speaking with newsmen, Dickson, a former Gov. of Bayelsa, said “My message to Nigerians is clear.

“I call on members of the Conference Committee to adopt the House’s version in its entirety. That version reflects what the joint committees, consultants and INEC agreed upon.

“INEC assured us at the committee level of its capacity to transmit results electronically. If the law makes it compulsory, then it is INEC’s duty to acquire and deploy the necessary technology across the country”.

Continuing, he said: “For almost two years, as a member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, we worked extensively on amendments to the electoral laws.

“We held workshops and joint sessions with the House of Representatives; held meetings with INEC, the technical committee, consultants and other stakeholders as well as public hearings in Abuja and Lagos.

“We all agreed—crucially with INEC—on a framework that would regulate the conduct of elections in this country, moving forward”.

Dickson, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, said that the issue of electronic transmission had become central to electoral integrity because manipulation often occurs at collation centres, not just at polling units.

“Once results are transmitted immediately after polling, it becomes difficult to alter them.

“Even though the senate version uses the word ‘shall’, the concern remains that the proviso could be abused. Exceptions should never become the norm,” he said.

The senator called on Nigerians not to give up on democracy, saying that the fight for free, fair and credible elections was ongoing and that the prize for liberty was eternal vigilance.

“Citizens must continue to mobilise, sensitise and participate fully in elections. Go to your polling stations, cast your votes and insist that presiding officers comply with the law by transmitting results electronically.

“I also urge INEC, through its guidelines and manuals, to ensure that electronic transmission remains the general rule, and not a cover for subverting the democratic wishes of the Nigerian people.

“I commend Nigerians for their vigilance and I urge resilience. Just because institutions are not perfect does not mean we should abandon the democratic struggle,” the lawmaker said.

NAN reports that the reconstituted Conference Committee of the Senate has 12 members, with Sen. Simon Lalong as Chairman.

Other members of the committee are: Senators Adamu Aliero, Adeniyi Adegbonmire, Orji Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Mohammed Monguno, Isah Jibrin, Banigo Ipalibo and Onyekachi Nwaenbonyi.

The committee is expected to conclude its assignment within the month to allow for the transmission of harmonised bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.