The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has issued a strong statement expressing concern over the Senate’s position on the transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the Guild, the Senate’s adoption of provisions in the proposed amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act—which allow for electronic transmission of results but stop short of making it mandatory and immediate—has created uncertainty and mistrust among Nigerians.
The Guild warned that this stance contradicts the widely held position of citizens and lawmakers who support compulsory real-time transmission of results.
It cautioned that the Senate’s position risks discouraging voter participation and undermining confidence in the electoral process.
Call for Mandatory Transmission
The NGE emphasized that mandatory and immediate electronic transmission of results is critical to:
- Enhancing transparency and accountability in elections.
- Reducing disputes, controversies, and fraud.
- Strengthening democratic governance.
- Restoring public confidence that votes truly count.
The Guild noted that globally, electronic transmission has become a standard practice for improving electoral credibility and efficiency, and Nigeria should not be an exception.
Public Outrage and Democratic Risks
The statement highlighted that the Senate’s current position has already triggered public outrage, pitting citizens against lawmakers.
Editors warned that failure to mandate electronic transmission represents a missed opportunity to deepen democracy and ensure credible elections.
Final Appeal
The Guild urged the National Assembly to harmonize its provisions with those of the House of Representatives and approve mandatory, real-time transmission of election results from polling units to INEC’s central servers and collation centres.
It concluded by reminding lawmakers that Nigerians are watching closely, and anything short of this reform would be “out of step with contemporary and progressive electoral practices.”
The Nigerian Guild of Editors’ intervention underscores the growing demand for electoral reforms that guarantee transparency and credibility.
As the Senate reconvenes, the spotlight remains firmly on whether lawmakers will enshrine mandatory electronic transmission in the Electoral Act before 2027.
