Ahead of the 2027 general elections, two media analysts have examined Nigeria’s amended Electoral Act, outlining both opportunities and risks for transparency and public confidence in the voting process.
During a current affairs discussion on Media Watch, a RadioOne programme, veteran broadcast journalist Adeyemo Adesanya identified public trust as the central concern.
He noted that many Nigerians remain skeptical of government-managed digital systems due to previous experiences with banking platforms and other online services.
Adesanya explained that the law still permits manual collation as a contingency when network failures occur, but warned that infrastructure gaps and fears of cyber-manipulation continue to fuel doubt among citizens.
Providing a contrasting perspective, lawyer and broadcaster Barnabas Hunjo urged Nigerians to approach the legislation with optimism, describing several provisions as progressive.
He specifically pointed to the shortened election notice period, which he said could help address scheduling challenges for religious groups.
Both analysts also assessed media responsibility during elections.
They commended traditional media outlets for relatively responsible coverage, while cautioning the public against relying on unverified claims circulating on social media.
They concluded that forthcoming off-cycle elections will serve as a key test for electoral authorities to demonstrate preparedness and rebuild public confidence before the 2027 polls.
Written by Lawrence Gefu