As part of ongoing mobilisation to ensure the passage of an Electoral Act that strengthens credible elections in Nigeria, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations, has called on the National Assembly’s harmonization committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ position on critical electoral reforms.
This call is with the warning that delays and inconsistencies could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general election.
The Coalition gave their position at a News Conference, jointly organized in Lagos by the International Press Centre, IPC, the Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO, The Kukah Centre, Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa and Yiaga Africa.
The groups urged lawmakers to approve mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of election results, allow downloadable voter cards for missing or unissued Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, and retain existing electoral timelines under the Electoral Act 2022.
The Executive Director, International Press Centre, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, who welcomed the Senate’s planned emergency plenary, scheduled to hold today, recommended that the conference committee constituted by the Senate and House of Representatives, adopt clear provisions that strengthen transparency and voter participation.
On his part, the Executive Director, Centre for Media & Society, CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, expressed concern over what the Group described as confusion surrounding the Senate’s position on electronic transmission of results, saying, the prolonged amendment process has created legal uncertainty that could affect preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Dr. Akingbulu, called on INEC to issue the 2027 election timetable in line with the law, noting that further delay could expose the commission to legal challenges and disrupt planning by political parties and other stakeholders.
The Groups also, recommended that the conference committee adopt technology-neutral language mandating electronic transmission of results and expand the category of persons who can trigger a review of disputed election results.
Written by Abiola Peters