Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended the decision of the National Assembly to remove mandatory electronic transmission of election results from the amended Electoral Act ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. He said the decision was based on realities on the ground, including poor network coverage and insecurity in several parts of the country.
The Senate last week amended the Electoral Act and removed the provision that made electronic transmission of election results compulsory. Instead, the law now allows the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to decide the method to use in conducting elections and transmitting results.
The decision has generated strong reactions across the country. Many Nigerians, civil society groups, opposition political parties, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) criticised the amendment. They argued that electronic transmission of results would reduce rigging, improve transparency, and strengthen public confidence in elections.
Critics also warned that removing mandatory electronic transmission could reverse the gains recorded since the 2023 general elections, where technology played a major role in voter accreditation and result management.
Speaking on the controversy, Akpabio said the Senate acted within its powers and blamed INEC for failing to explain the challenges involved in deploying technology nationwide. He spoke during the public presentation of a book written by a former senator, Effiong Bob, titled “The Burdens of Legislators in Nigeria.”
According to the Senate President, network challenges remain a serious issue in Nigeria, especially in areas affected by insecurity. He claimed that at least nine states in the country currently lack stable network coverage, making real-time electronic transmission of results difficult.
“Real-time transmission means that in over nine states where networks are not working because of insecurity, there will be no election results,” Akpabio said. “Nationally, it means that if the national grid collapses and no network is working, no election results will be valid.”
He explained that elections must be designed in a way that does not exclude any part of the country. According to him, making electronic transmission compulsory could lead to situations where elections are conducted but results cannot be transmitted, creating legal and political problems.
Akpabio also criticised some of those who opposed the Senate’s decision, accusing them of not understanding the lawmaking process. He said the Senate does not conduct elections and does not deploy technology.
“The Senate does not conduct elections, we don’t deploy technology, we only make laws. And INEC must apply the law,” he said.
He added that Nigerians should direct their complaints to INEC, not the National Assembly, because the electoral body is responsible for deciding how elections are conducted within the framework of the law.
“The timing, scope, and modality rests with INEC, acting within the framework of the law enacted by the parliament and interpreted by the Supreme Court,” Akpabio stated.
The Senate President also took a swipe at a political party spokesman from his home state, Akwa Ibom, saying the individual was speaking without proper knowledge of legislative work.
His comments have further fueled the debate around the amendment of the Electoral Act, especially as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Electronic transmission of election results became a major issue in Nigeria’s electoral reforms following years of disputed elections. Many Nigerians believe manual collation of results has been a key source of manipulation, delays, and violence in past elections.
The introduction of technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) during the 2023 elections was seen as a step forward. While the system faced challenges, many observers agreed that technology helped reduce some forms of electoral fraud.
Opposition parties and civil society groups argue that instead of removing mandatory electronic transmission, the government should invest more in infrastructure, security, and network coverage. They believe doing so would strengthen democracy and ensure that every vote counts.
The Nigerian Bar Association also expressed concern over the Senate’s action, warning that it could weaken the credibility of future elections. The NBA urged lawmakers to reconsider the amendment and prioritise transparency.
INEC, on its part, has repeatedly said that it is committed to improving the use of technology in elections. However, the commission has also pointed out challenges such as poor network coverage, vandalism of telecom facilities, power supply issues, and insecurity in some areas.
Nigeria has continued to face security challenges in different regions, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and communal clashes and kidnappings in other parts of the country. These challenges have affected not only elections but also telecommunications and power infrastructure.
As preparations for the 2027 elections gradually begin, the debate over electronic transmission of results is expected to continue. Many Nigerians are watching closely to see how INEC will exercise its powers under the amended law.
For now, the Senate insists that its decision was made in the interest of national inclusion and stability. However, critics argue that the amendment places too much discretion in the hands of INEC and could open the door to abuse.