The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the National Assembly to urgently reverse the Senate’s position on the Electoral Act amendment bill and make electronic transmission of election results mandatory. The association said the move is necessary to protect Nigeria’s democracy and restore public trust in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NBA made its position known in a statement issued on Saturday after a meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC). The meeting was held on February 5 in Maiduguri, Borno State, and was chaired by the NBA President, Mr. Afam Osigwe.
According to the statement, the NEC carefully reviewed a report presented by Osigwe on recent developments surrounding the Electoral Act amendment bill currently before the National Assembly. After deliberations, the council resolved that electronic transmission of election results must be clearly stated and made compulsory in the law.
The call by the NBA comes amid growing public debate and concern over the Senate’s handling of the amendment to the Electoral Act. Many Nigerians, civil society groups, and opposition parties have criticised lawmakers for what they see as a step backward in electoral reforms.
On Wednesday, the Senate passed key sections of the Electoral Act amendment bill. While it retained provisions relating to the electronic transfer of results as contained in the Electoral Act 2022, it rejected proposals that sought to make real-time electronic transmission compulsory.
The Senate also voted against a proposal to impose a 10-year ban on individuals found guilty of vote buying. Instead, lawmakers retained existing punishments, which include fines or jail terms.
Following public criticism, some senators explained that the bill enjoyed wide support among members of the upper chamber. They argued that the Senate acted within its powers and that the provisions were carefully considered.
However, despite retaining electronic transmission in principle, the Senate kept the wording from the 2022 Electoral Act. The law states that election results shall be transmitted “in a manner as prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
The NBA has strongly opposed this wording, warning that it gives too much discretion to INEC and weakens the legal framework for transparent elections.
In its report, the association said the lack of a clear and enforceable requirement for electronic transmission creates room for manipulation, delays, and disputes after elections.
“The discretionary language in the law weakens the legal basis for transparent and real-time result reporting,” the NBA said. “It leaves room for abuse and post-election conflicts.”
The NBA stressed that a clear statutory provision making electronic transmission mandatory is necessary to protect the integrity of votes and ensure that election results truly reflect the will of the people.
The association also warned that credible elections are the foundation of constitutional democracy. According to the lawyers’ body, any attempt to weaken electoral laws threatens democratic accountability and good governance.
“Credible elections remain the backbone of any constitutional democracy,” the statement said. “Continued resistance to enforceable electronic transmission provisions undermines public confidence in the electoral system.”
The debate over electronic transmission of results has been ongoing in Nigeria for several years. In past elections, manual collation of results was often linked to allegations of rigging, result manipulation, and violence at collation centres.
To address these issues, INEC introduced technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) during the 2023 general elections. These tools were designed to improve voter accreditation and allow results to be uploaded from polling units.
While the 2023 elections were not without challenges, many observers agreed that technology helped reduce some forms of electoral fraud and improved transparency in parts of the country.
However, delays and failures in uploading results electronically during the elections also sparked legal battles and public debate. Several election petitions focused on whether INEC complied with its own guidelines on electronic transmission.
These experiences have made the issue of electronic transmission central to discussions on electoral reform ahead of 2027.
The NBA noted that technology-driven transparency is no longer optional in modern democracies. It urged Nigeria to align its electoral framework with global best practices to strengthen democracy and improve its international image.
“Across the world, technology is being used to improve transparency and accountability in elections,” the association said. “Nigeria must not be left behind.”
The lawyers’ body also pointed out that clear laws reduce uncertainty and help courts interpret electoral disputes more effectively. According to the NBA, vague provisions often lead to conflicting judgments and prolonged legal battles after elections.
In its resolution, the NBA called on members of the National Assembly to show leadership and responsibility by supporting an amendment that makes electronic transmission compulsory.
“The council resolved that the National Assembly must urgently revisit Clause 60(3) and pass the proposed amendment to expressly mandate electronic transmission of results from polling units,” the statement said.
The association appealed to both chambers of the National Assembly to put national interest above politics and act in a way that strengthens democracy.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections slowly begin, the decisions taken now by lawmakers are expected to shape the credibility of future polls.
While some lawmakers argue that issues such as poor network coverage, power supply, and insecurity make mandatory electronic transmission difficult, critics insist that these challenges should be addressed through investment and planning, not by weakening the law.
INEC has previously acknowledged challenges with infrastructure and security in some parts of the country. However, the commission has also maintained that it is committed to improving its systems and expanding the use of technology.
For many Nigerians, the NBA’s intervention has added fresh weight to the call for stronger electoral laws. With trust in the electoral process still fragile, stakeholders believe that clear and enforceable rules are needed to rebuild confidence.