The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) called on the National Assembly to reconsider and approve a proposed amendment to the Electoral Amendment Bill that would make electronic transmission of election results from polling stations mandatory.
The call was made following the adoption of a report presented by NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno State on February 5, 2026.
The report expresses its concern over the recent rejection by the Senate of an amendment to article 60, paragraph 3 of the electoral law. The amendment sought to require chairpersons of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit results in real time to the CENI Results Viewing Portal (IREV) immediately after the EC8A form has been signed, stamped and countersigned by party agents.
The NEC observed that the current discretionary wording of the law, which allows presiding officers to “transfer results in such manner as may be prescribed by the Commission,” weakens the legal basis for transparent, real-time reporting.
“Ambiguity leaves room for manipulation, misinterpretation and post-election conflict,” the council noted in its resolution.
Adopting Osigwe’s report, the NEC resolved that the National Assembly should urgently adopt the proposed amendment to section 60(3) to clearly mandate electronic transmission of results.
The council stressed that explicit legal requirements, rather than discretionary formulation, are essential to safeguard electoral transparency, protect voting integrity and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Stressing the importance of credible elections, the NBA said continued resistance to electronically enforceable measures undermines democratic accountability.
“Technology-enabled transparency is no longer optional in a modern democracy,” the NEC stressed, urging lawmakers to align Nigeria’s electoral framework with global best practices.
The NBA has reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement and advocacy to ensure that Nigeria’s electoral laws clearly reflect the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box.
