Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s leading election monitoring coalition criticises the Senate for passing what it calls a retrogressive version of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, warning that recent changes could weaken transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room expresses alarm over the Senate’s decision to remove provisions mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results and to slash the election notice period issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 360 days to 180 days.
In a statement signed by convener Yunusa Ya’u and co-conveners Celestine Odo and Mma Odi on Thursday, the group says the amendments reverse hard-won reforms developed after extensive stakeholder consultations.
“Rather than strengthening electoral safeguards, the Senate has reopened loopholes that reforms were designed to close,” the statement reads.
The Senate retains discretionary electronic transmission as provided under the 2002 law; a move critics say undermines confidence built after the 2023 elections.
Situation Room argues that mandatory real-time transmission to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) enjoys broad public support and remains central to reducing result manipulation.
The group also warns that cutting the election notice timeline will strain INEC’s logistics, voter registration, procurement and staff deployment processes.
“Compressed timelines will escalate disputes within political parties and increase pre-election litigation,” the coalition says.
Civil society leaders note that the changes contradict consensus reached by the Joint National Assembly Committees on Electoral Matters.
They urge the Conference Committee of the National Assembly to restore mandatory electronic transmission and realistic timelines during harmonisation.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot afford reforms that weaken credibility,” the statement adds.
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