Nigeria is currently experiencing widespread outrage and criticism directed at the Senate's recent passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, primarily due to its refusal to mandate the real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units. This decision, perceived as a deliberate weakening of provisions aimed at strengthening electoral transparency and accountability, has sparked concerns among political leaders, civil society organizations, professional bodies, and public affairs analysts alike, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The core of the controversy revolves around the Senate’s choice to retain the existing Electoral Act provision, which vaguely states that "the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including the total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot, in a manner as prescribed by the Commission." Critics had advocated for a clear amendment that would compel Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presiding officers to upload results from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real-time, immediately after completing, signing, and stamping Form EC&A, and its countersigning by party agents. This clarity, they argue, is crucial to prevent the ambiguities and controversies that plagued the 2023 general elections.

Former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, sharply criticized the lawmakers, warning them against actions that could further inflame public frustration and undermine Nigeria's democracy. Speaking on ARISE News Channel, Ezekwesili accused the political class, particularly the Senate, of repeatedly taking decisions that alienate Nigerians, likening their actions to "playing with fire." She stressed that citizens are justified in their anger over the "excesses and the sheer lack of even wisdom" displayed by lawmakers, and emphasized the importance of "eternal vigilance" as the price citizens pay for freedom and liberty. Ezekwesili highlighted that the Senate’s decision to retain Section 16(5) of the 2022 Electoral Act preserves discretionary powers for INEC regarding electronic transmission, which proved to be a major source of controversy in 2023, despite assurances from INEC officials that results would be transmitted electronically.

Similarly, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Bode George, warned that failure to guarantee the electronic transmission of election results could destabilize Nigeria’s democratic process. He described the Senate’s position as alarming, urging a reconsideration of the bill to align Nigeria’s electoral process with global digital standards. George expressed concern that abandoning electronic transmission could revive manipulation, suppression, and electoral malpractice, leading to governance crises and undermining the foundation of good governance.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) also weighed in, dismissing the Senate’s reasons for rejecting real-time electronic transmission as "professionally indefensible." The NSE refuted arguments citing poor network coverage, cybersecurity risks, weak infrastructure, and potential legal disputes, stating that these reflect outdated assumptions and underestimate Nigeria’s technical capacity. NSE President, Ali Rabiu, asserted that electronic transmission offers significant technical advantages, enhancing the integrity, efficiency, and credibility of the electoral process, and is superior to the manual movement of result sheets which is highly vulnerable to manipulation.

Various advocacy groups echoed these sentiments. The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), through its Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma, described the Senate’s action as a "deliberate attempt to weaken democratic safeguards" and a rollback of democratic progress. RULAAC emphasized that electronic transmission is a crucial tool against ballot snatching and result alteration. Yiaga Africa's Samson Itodo noted that beyond rejecting electronic transmission, the Senate also blocked the download of electronic voter cards and significantly reduced electoral timelines, such as shortening the notice of election from 360 to 180 days and the timeline for publishing the list of candidates from 150 to 60 days. These compressed timelines, Itodo warned, would increase the risk of logistical problems and constitute a "betrayal of public trust." Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) Executive Director Emmanuel Onwubiko branded the network excuse as "shallow, untenable and absolute nonsense," stating that the decision ensures flaws from the 2023 elections remain unaddressed and will encourage massive voter apathy.

The Obidient Movement, through its National Coordinator Dr. Tanko Yunusa, condemned the Senate’s decision as a "deliberate and unforgivable act of electoral manipulation in preparation for the 2027 general elections." Yunusa called it a "direct assault on the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy," arguing that it institutionalizes chaos and opacity, thereby eroding public trust. The movement vividly recalled the "turmoil, disputes, and widespread manipulation" of the 2023 elections, directly linked to the failure of electronic transmission, and warned that the Senate's move only serves to entrench systems that enable malpractice.

Political figures and analysts further amplified these concerns. Mahdi Shehu, a public affairs analyst, called the Senate’s decision a "grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy," alleging it was a deliberate attempt to undermine the value of citizens’ votes and likened it to deadly global disasters. He accused the political system of failing checks and balances and claimed INEC had become compromised. Engr. Ibrahim Karaye, Publicity Secretary for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, described the amendment as a "calculated political move by the ruling party" to gain advantage in 2027, suggesting it stems from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu winning the 2023 presidency with minority votes. However, Karaye expressed confidence that despite these efforts, Nigerians are politically aware and determined to participate and defend their electoral rights. Amb. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a PDP gubernatorial aspirant, explicitly stated that the development was an "attempt to rig the 2027 general elections" and urged the Senate President to make electronic transmission compulsory, not optional, to prevent a return to ballot box snatching.

The consensus among critics is that the Senate’s decision fundamentally works against the expectations of Nigerians for strengthened electoral transparency. They argue that upholding the discretionary power for INEC regarding result transmission, along with other contentious changes like reduced electoral timelines, ensures that avenues for electoral manipulation remain open. There is a strong call for citizens to remain vigilant, engage in public advocacy, and collectively work to ensure that the final version of the Electoral Act amendment truly strengthens electoral integrity and ensures that votes count in future elections.