CSOs Give NASS 2 Weeks Ultimatum To Harmonize Electoral Bill

In a renewed effort to strengthen credible and transparent electoral processes in the Country, a Coalition of Civil Society groups has given two weeks ultimatum to the National Assembly to expedite action towards harmonization of the electoral bill on mandatory electronic transmission of results, downloadable voter card and retention of electoral timelines .

This is as they also called on the Electoral Umpire (INEC) to issue the notice of elections in line with the Electoral Act 2022 aimed at establishing baseline timelines that subsequent amendments can modify through transitional provisions.

Speaking at a Press Conference in Abuja,the leader of the group and Founder TAF Africa, Mr Jake Epelle stressed the need for speedy amendment process of the electoral act, noting that the delayed process has created legal uncertainty that may compromise preparations for the 2027 elections.

“Subsequent to the Senate vote, public discourse has been saturated with conflicting narratives regarding the precise position of the Senate. Three competing narratives have emerged: First, that the Senate approved real-time electronic transmission; Second, that existing Electoral Act 2022 provisions granting INEC discretionary powers over the procedure for results management were retained; and third, that the Senate substituted “transmit” with “transfer” and removed the qualifier “real-time” from its version”

“It is deeply concerning that legislation of such significance is mired in political contestation” he added.

“We call on the conference committee members to approach the harmonisation deliberations guided by national interest, institutional integrity and democratic accountability rather than narrow partisan calculations”.

On the issue of the two weeks ultimatum and election timetable schedule for the 2027 general election ,the Director of programme, Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu explained that
in accordance with the democratic rights of the citizens and provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 , action would fulfil statutory obligations, insulate the Commission from legal challenge and also provide political parties, candidates, and civil society with certainty necessary for systematic preparation.

“Indefinite postponement of notice issuance pending legislative resolution creates a vacuum that compounds administrative challenges and legal vulnerabilities.”

Also speaking, Mr Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa called on Nigerians to rise and demand for their rights while throwing more light on the “real times’controversies.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we provide clarity on the concept of ‘real-time’. Real-time electronic transmission of results means sending the official polling unit results recorded on Form EC8A electronically from the polling unit directly to a central results portal immediately after voting has ended, ballots have been counted, and the results have been publicly announced at the polling unit.”

According to him, transmission happens in the presence of party agents, observers, and voters at the polling unit. It ensures that the exact results recorded at the polling unit are uploaded and available for public verification before they are physically transported for collation.”

“Real-time transmission creates an electronic copy of the result at the point where it is first declared”.

Last week, the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026 through third reading. Central to the controversy is the deletion of “real-time” from the electronic transmission clause, which critics argue could open the door to manipulation and post-poll interference.

The coalition of the Civil Society groups that endorsed the ultimatum includes : Center for Media and Society, Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa and Yiaga Africa.

Nkiruka Okeke, Edited By Grace Namiji