The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has criticised the Senate for passing what it described as a retrogressive version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 raising concerns over transparency and electoral credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Senate on Wednesday passed the amendment bill removing provisions for mandatory real time electronic transmission of election results from polling units. Instead the lawmakers retained discretionary electronic transfer of results in line with earlier legislation. The Senate also reduced the timeline for the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days before polling day.
In a statement released on Friday the Situation Room expressed deep disappointment with the Senate decision. The statement was signed by its convener Yunusa Yau and co conveners Celestine Odo and Mma Odi. The group said the amendments represent a major setback to electoral reforms that had been agreed upon after consultations by the Joint National Assembly Committees on Electoral Matters.
According to the group the removal of mandatory electronic transmission weakens transparency and reopens opportunities for manipulation. It noted that real time transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal enjoys broad public support and is widely seen as a key reform arising from lessons of the 2023 general elections.
The Situation Room also condemned the reduction of the election notice period warning that the shortened timeline would place serious constraints on INEC preparations. It said the change would negatively affect voter registration logistics staff training voter education and procurement processes.
The group further warned that political parties would also be affected as compressed timelines could disrupt primaries escalate disputes and increase pre election litigation thereby destabilising the electoral calendar.
The civil society coalition called on the National Assembly leadership and the Conference Committee to revisit the bill during the harmonisation process. It urged lawmakers to restore mandatory electronic transmission of results and maintain realistic electoral timelines to strengthen public trust in Nigeria electoral process ahead of 2027.
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