By Sabastine Abu
In a move that has ignited nationwide fury and cast a long shadow over the credibility of the 2027 elections, Nigeria’s 10th Senate has passed an Electoral Act Amendment Bill that critics are calling not a reform, but a regressive gambit. At the storm’s centre is the decisive rejection of a provision that would have mandated the real-time electronic transmission of election results—a safeguard widely demanded by citizens to curb manipulation.
Instead, the Senate has chosen to retain the ambiguous wording of the 2022 Act, leaving the method of result transfer to the discretion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which the Supreme Court in its 2023 post election ruling, described as not known to law.
This single decision by the Senate has united opposition parties, civil society, and election monitors in condemnation, branding the action a calculated threat to democratic transparency and a betrayal of public trust.
Samuel Itodo of Yaga Africa and Clement Nwankwo of IPAC, both from the civil society group who have been deeply involved in the process, desperately described the Senate position as a grave danger to democracy and blatant betrayal against Nigerians.
Nwankwo alleged that the Senate decision did not reflect the true majority of senators but, was a product of high- level procedural control.
Itodo on his part, noted that, “the Senate may have passed a bill, but it did not pass reform. What emerged is an electoral framework that exists in law but lacks democratic life”.
A review of media and public commentaries have been scathing. One termed the bill a “corpse” of reform, while another accused Akpabio’s Senate of “throwing democracy under the bus”. On social media, the debate reflects deep public disillusionment.
At the core of the controversy in the Senate Bill passed, is the brewing conflict that is embodied in two versions of Section 60(3) of the electoral bill considered separately by the Senate and House of Representatives.
The first is that House of Representatives’ version supports mandatory transparency with
key provision that mandates presiding officers to electronically transmit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in real time.
This the public perceived as a critical technological safeguard to minimize human interference in the crucial period between voting and official result declaration.
The second is the Senate version which retains the ambiguity in the 2022 Electoral Act.
Key provision in the Senate version states that the presiding officer shall transfer results “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission”.
This the public views as preserving a dangerous loophole that enabled controversy and litigation after the 2023 general elections.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has insisted that “electronic transmission has always been in our act” and was not removed. However, critics counter that the refusal to mandate real-time transmission strips the process of its accountability power, leaving a gap that has been exploited before.
The Senate’s bill reveals a broader pattern of rejecting measures designed to fortify electoral integrity.
As deterrence against electoral offenses, the Senate disappointedly rejected a proposed 10-year disqualification for persons convicted of vote-buying thereby making light the severity of such offenses. It instead, retained a two-year prison term and increased the fine from ₦2 million to ₦5 million—a move descrided as merely “acknowledging inflation, not the gravity of the offence”.
On voter identification, Lawmakers voted against allowing electronically generated voter identification, maintaining the physical Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the sole mandatory ID. This is seen as problematic given Nigeria’s well-documented PVC collection and logistics challenges.
In addition, election litigation clause that would have streamlined election petitions by allowing parties to prove non-compliance using documentary evidence alone was struck out. Critics argue this preserves a slow, expensive, and inefficient judicial process that hinders justice.
With compressed timelines proposed as an amendment, the bill significantly shortens key electoral timelines, reducing the notice period for elections from 360 days to 180 days. Experts warn that this could create logistical chaos and disadvantage less well-resourced parties and candidates.
It is therefore not surprising that the Senate Bill is generating so much nationwide outcry.
The response has been swift and severe, cutting across political and societal lines.
A coalition of opposition groups including the PDP, ADC, and NNPP issued a joint statement accusing the APC-led Senate of enacting an “anti-people and anti-democratic” measure. They argue the ruling party, which uses technology for its internal membership drive, fears a transparent electoral process.
Social activist and Analysts, Eze Onyekpere of the Centre for Social Justice called the rejection a “missed opportunity” and a testament to a flawed assembly.
The final hurdle to the ongoing electoral reform process, now rest with the Conference Committee of both the Senate and House of Representative to harmonize their differing positions.
This committee holds the last democratic lifeline to correct the Senate’s omissions. Its outcome will determine whether Nigeria moves toward a more transparent electoral system or entrenches a framework ripe for dispute.
As a call to action, well meaning Nigerians, Civil society groups and the media to join forces to pressure the committee to adopt the House’s position on mandatory electronic transmission and other pro-transparency measures.
It is pertinent to reiterate that the 10th Senate’s electoral bill, marketed as progress, is widely perceived as a retreat from accountability. By refusing to lock in transparent, technology-driven safeguards and weakening penalties for malpractice, the legislature has chosen political convenience over public trust. As Nigeria inches toward the 2027 polls, the work of the Conference Committee will either become a footnote to a democratic setback or a crucial victory for citizens demanding an electoral system where every vote truly counts.
The fundamental question remains, will Nigeria’s leaders heed the loud and clear demand for electoral integrity, or will they preserve the opaque pathways that have historically undermined the people’s will? The answer will define the nation’s democratic trajectory for years to come.
● Abu, PhD, mni, us Deputy President, Nigeria Guild of Editors.
