Lalong, Aliero, Kalu, Moro, Balogun, Agbedi, Soli and other lawmakers tasked with reconciling the bill face mounting pressure
Within the power corridors of the National Assembly, what was expected to be a routine harmonisation of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill has evolved into a pivotal chapter in Nigeria’s democratic story.
Public trust in the country’s fragile democracy is once again being tested after the Senate passed amendments to the Electoral Act that fall short of making live electronic transmission of results compulsory. The decision has sparked public outrage, fresh protests and intense negotiations between both chambers of the National Assembly.
With the 2027 general elections fast approaching, public pressure, protests, threats of mass action and vociferous demands from civil society have thrown the legislative process into a tense national focus.
At the centre of the storm is Clause 60(3) of the amended Electoral Act Bill, which now provides for both manual and electronic transmission of results but removes explicit reference to “real-time” uploads from polling units a key reform many Nigerians consider critical to credible elections.
The House of Representatives had earlier passed a version mandating direct, real-time electronic transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
The House says the clause must mandate real-time electronic transmission of results; the Senate initially resisted which set up a political firestorm.
The Senate, however, after public outcry, opted for a flexible model, citing concerns over possible network failures during elections.
Conference Committee under pressure
To resolve the disagreement, both chambers have constituted 12-member Conference Committee each to harmonise the bill before transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The Joint Conference Committee is to harmonise their versions of the bill, a constitutional requirement before final passage and presentation to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
