The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has cautioned the National Assembly against introducing amendments to the Electoral Act that could undermine transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yusuf Danteli, IPAC National Chairman stressed that while electoral reforms are necessary, they must not create new challenges or erode public confidence.
Key Points from IPAC
- Transparency first: Danteli said reforms should strengthen public trust, not compromise it:
“Anything that strengthens transparency and public trust is welcome. But we must avoid introducing provisions we may regret.”
- Learning from 2023: He described the 2023 elections as competitive but noted operational glitches, especially in the presidential election, despite votes being counted properly in many areas.
- Electronic processes caution: Expanding electronic collation or transmission must be supported by adequate infrastructure and security safeguards:
“If we advocate electronic collation, not just transmission, does INEC have the infrastructure? Is the system secure from hacking? Technology helps, but corruption and institutional weaknesses must also be addressed. Electoral reform is holistic.”
National Assembly Developments
- The National Assembly is set for an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, February 17, to deliberate on the 2027 election timetable and resolve differences in the proposed Electoral Act amendment 2022.
- Key disagreement centers on the legal status of electronic transmission via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), particularly whether uploads from polling units should be real-time and legally binding or subject to discretion in areas with connectivity challenges.
- While the Senate passed its version after a third reading, differences remain over the scope and rigidity of electronic transmission requirements.
IPAC’s position emphasizes a balanced approach to reform, where technology adoption is paired with institutional strengthening to ensure credible, transparent elections in 2027.
🔎 Electronic Transmission Debate: Senate vs House
| Issue | Senate Position | House of Representatives Position |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Transmission of Results | Supports electronic transmission but allows flexibility where technical challenges occur. | Pushes for stronger legal backing to make electronic transmission mandatory and more binding. |
| Real-Time Upload from Polling Units | May permit discretion if connectivity issues arise. | Advocates clearer provisions to ensure real-time uploads are recognised in law. |
| INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) | Open to review of its legal status and operational limits. | Seeks to strengthen its legal standing to avoid ambiguity in future elections. |
| Infrastructure Concerns | Emphasises practical implementation and operational feasibility. | Focuses more on transparency guarantees through stricter legal requirements. |
| Cybersecurity & System Integrity | Raises concerns about hacking risks and infrastructure gaps. | Supports safeguards but prioritises preventing manipulation through stronger legal mandates. |
