Nigeria’s National Assembly has approved the electronic transmission of election results but retained manual collation as a fallback option — a move that sparked protests, an opposition walkout, and fiery debates in both chambers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What was expected to be a routine amendment to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill quickly descended into one of the most dramatic sessions of the 10th Assembly, laying bare sharp partisan divisions over the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral framework.
In the Senate, 15 lawmakers led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South) openly opposed a contentious proviso in Clause 60(3). The clause recognizes the manually completed Form EC8A as the primary source for collation in cases where electronic transmission fails.
Critics argue that prioritizing manual records — even as a contingency — could weaken safeguards meant to ensure transparency and reduce post-election disputes.
The House of Representatives witnessed similar turbulence. Members of the minority caucus staged a walkout, accusing the leadership under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas of pushing through amendments without adequate consensus.
They insisted that electronic transmission should be mandatory and real-time, without what they described as “loopholes” that could undermine electoral credibility.
Beyond the legislative chambers, tensions spilled onto the streets. Protesters gathered outside the National Assembly complex, warning against any dilution of electoral reforms. Among them was former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, who joined calls for stronger protections to safeguard the 2027 vote.
Supporters of the amendment maintain that retaining manual collation as a backup is a pragmatic safeguard against technical failures, particularly in remote areas with limited connectivity. Opponents, however, fear it may reopen avenues for manipulation.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the debate underscores lingering mistrust over Nigeria’s electoral processes and signals that the battle over how votes are transmitted and counted may remain a defining political flashpoint in the months ahead.
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