The Nigerian Bar Association has called on the National Assembly to revisit and approve an amendment to the Electoral Act that would make the electronic transmission of election results from polling units compulsory.
The appeal followed the adoption of a report presented by NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, during the association’s National Executive Council meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno State, on February 5, 2026.
The report raised concerns over the Senate’s rejection of a proposed amendment to Clause 60(3), which sought to require presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission to transmit polling unit results in real time to the INEC Result Viewing portal after due certification of Form EC8A.
According to the NEC, the existing provision in the Electoral Act, which allows presiding officers to transfer results “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission,” leaves room for ambiguity and weakens the legal basis for transparent, real-time reporting.
The council warned that such discretion could create opportunities for manipulation, misinterpretation, and post-election disputes.
In adopting Osigwe’s report, the NEC urged lawmakers to urgently pass the amendment to clearly compel electronic transmission of results, stressing that firm statutory backing is necessary to safeguard electoral transparency, protect the integrity of votes, and rebuild public trust in the electoral process.
The NBA emphasised that credible elections remain fundamental to democratic stability, adding that resistance to enforceable electronic transmission measures undermines accountability.
“Technology-backed transparency is no longer optional in a modern democracy,” the NEC stated, urging Nigeria to align its electoral framework with global standards.
The association also called on the National Assembly to demonstrate legislative responsibility by supporting the amendment and reaffirmed its commitment to continued advocacy to ensure electoral laws reflect the true will of the electorate.
