The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged the national assembly to approve mandatory and real-time transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) servers ahead of the 2027 general election.
The call comes after the senate passed the Electoral Act, which excluded the provision for real-time transmission of results.
The senate’s decision has sparked widespread criticism, with political figures, including Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, leading a protest to the national assembly complex on Monday.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had also threatened mass action over the development.
In a statement on Monday, co-signed by Eze Anaba, president of the guild, and Onuoha Ukeh, general secretary, the editors said the ongoing controversy over the senate’s position on result transmission is fuelling doubt and mistrust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The NGE said the senate’s decision to allow electronic transmission of results without making it mandatory and immediate contradicts the expectations of many Nigerians and undermines efforts to strengthen electoral credibility.
According to the guild, the development has sparked public outrage, deepened tensions between citizens and the senate, and could discourage voter participation in future elections.
“At a time when Nigerians are demanding mandatory and immediate transmission of results, and as countries around the world adopt electronic transmission to enhance transparency, the senate’s position leaves much to be desired,” the statement reads.
The editors described the development as a missed opportunity to promote transparency and accountability, warning that it weakens democratic governance and confidence in elections.
The guild called on the national assembly, as the senate prepares to harmonise its position with that of the house of representatives on Tuesday, to ensure that the final provisions of the electoral law make real-time transmission of results compulsory.
According to the NGE, digitalising elections through real-time transmission will improve transparency, efficiency and accuracy, reduce disputes and controversies, and significantly curb electoral fraud.
“Nigerians are watching the national assembly closely,” the editors said.
They added that anything short of mandatory and immediate transmission of election results would be out of step with contemporary electoral practices and could erode public trust.
The post 2027: “It’ll Reduce Election Disputes” — Guild Of Editors Asks Nation Assembly To Approve Real-Time Results Transmission appeared first on Information Nigeria.
