Electoral act; Senate decision may undermine 2027 polls—KDI says

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Kimpact Development Initiative has raised fresh concerns over the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, warning that the decision could weaken transparency and public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The civil society organisation expressed disappointment on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 after its third reading.

The upper chamber, however, rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3 of the bill, which sought to make the electronic transmission of election results compulsory.

The rejected clause would have required presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission to transmit results electronically from each polling unit to the IReV portal in real time after completing and signing Form EC8A alongside candidates’ agents.

Instead, lawmakers adopted the existing provision of the 2022 Electoral Act, which allows the presiding officer to transfer results “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reacting to concerns raised by stakeholders, maintained that the Senate retained the transmission of election results as contained in the 2022 Act.

But KDI, in a statement on Thursday signed by its Executive Director, Bukola Idowu, said the decision had triggered widespread public debate, especially among civil society organisations, election observers and youth groups.

She noted that mandatory electronic transmission had been widely viewed as a visible mechanism to strengthen trust in election outcomes.

“The absence of clearer statutory obligations may continue to leave room for differing interpretations and operational discretion. This development raises concerns about preparedness for credible elections in 2027,” Idowu said.

She stressed that elections should not be viewed merely as legal exercises but as processes that depend heavily on public trust and confidence.

According to her, strengthening transparency provisions is an investment in long-term democratic credibility and stability.

KDI also faulted the Senate’s removal of a proposed 10-year disqualification for individuals convicted of vote buying, describing the offence as one of the most damaging threats to Nigeria’s democratic process.

The group warned that vote buying distorts voter choice, commercialises the electoral process and undermines the legitimacy of election outcomes.

“Sanctions for electoral crimes must be proportionate to the harm they inflict and capable of serving as effective deterrents,” the statement added.

The organisation further expressed concern over the Senate’s decision to reduce the statutory timeline for issuing election notices from 360 days to 180 days.

KDI argued that adequate preparation time remained critical for the successful conduct of large-scale elections, warning that shortening the timeline could increase logistical challenges and disputes ahead of the 2027 polls.

The group also pointed out that the Senate’s position differed from that of the House of Representatives, which had adopted provisions aimed at strengthening electoral transparency and accountability.

It said the divergence within the National Assembly presents a crucial opportunity for alignment as the amendment bill proceeds to the conference committee stage.

KDI urged lawmakers to strike a balance between operational realities and public expectations, noting that the legal framework guiding the 2027 elections must inspire confidence across political divides, particularly among young voters.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to engaging lawmakers, electoral institutions and citizens in advancing reforms capable of strengthening transparency, accountability and institutional trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.