YERP-Naija Calls For Mandatory Real-time Electronic Transmission Of Election Results

The Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP‑Naija) has urged the National Assembly Conference Committee on the Electoral Act amendment to adopt mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results, as earlier passed by the House of Representatives (Nigeria).

This is contained in a statement signed by Zigwai Ayuba, Executive Director of the J‑DEV Foundation and YERP-Naija North-West Coordinator.

According to the statement the group welcomed the emergency sitting by the Senate (Nigeria), which revisited Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act amendment bill governing the transmission of election results.

YERP-Naija said the Senate’s decision to reverse its earlier position and adopt electronic transmission of results was a positive step, but stressed that the chamber stopped short of making the process mandatory and in real time, as contained in the version passed by the House of Representatives in December 2025.

According to the coalition, Nigerians—particularly young people—have consistently demanded compulsory real-time electronic transmission in order to curb human interference and manipulation during result collation.

The group noted that the differing versions of the bill passed by both chambers have now been forwarded to a harmonisation committee of the National Assembly (Nigeria), describing the move as a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing electoral reform process.

YERP-Naija also commended the directive by the Senate leadership for the conference committee to conclude its work within one week, so that the bill can be transmitted to the President for assent before the end of February 2026.

However, the coalition expressed concern over the Senate’s provision allowing a return to manual transmission of results in the event of technological failure, warning that the clause could be exploited to compromise elections.

It argued that improvements in internet connectivity across Nigeria, as well as the technical capabilities of election technology—such as time-stamped uploads that can be transmitted once network service is restored—make mandatory real-time electronic transmission feasible ahead of the 2027 general elections.

YERP-Naija further stated that the approach is not new, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission had already deployed electronic transmission systems during the 2023 general elections.

The group also cited expert support from the Nigerian Society of Engineers, which, it said, has confirmed that real-time electronic transmission of results can be effectively implemented nationwide during the 2027 polls.

The coalition called on members of the harmonisation committee to adopt the House version of the bill, which mandates real-time electronic transmission, arguing that the provision would significantly limit human interference, manipulation and electoral fraud.

“With the 2027 general elections approaching, it is imperative that the Electoral Act amendment and related constitutional amendment bills are passed in good time to enable credible elections,” the statement said, warning that delays or weakened provisions could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

YERP-Naija reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement with lawmakers and other stakeholders to advance electoral reforms that promote transparency, credibility and inclusive democratic governance in Nigeria.