Yemisi Izuora
Civil society groups on Monday converged in Lagos to press on the harmonization committee to adopt the House of Reps position on mandatory electronic transmission of results, downloadable voter card and retention of electoral timelines
The meeting called at the instance of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa
Yiaga Africa, and the International Press Centre (IPC) also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to issue the notice of elections in line with Electoral Act 2022.
The conveners of the meeting, said the current push is in furtherance of their earlier statement issued on February 5 in which they expressed deep concerns over the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of election results and use of downloaded missing or unissued voter cards for elections, as well as shortening of critical electoral timelines.
The Senate also removed the proposed 10-year ban for offences related to the buying and selling of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC). They argued that the divergence between the Senate and the House of Representatives on these amendments has profound implications for the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
According to them, Electoral reform is not merely a procedural exercise; it is foundational to the credibility, transparency, and predictability of democratic transitions.
The protracted amendment process has created legal uncertainty that delays INEC’s constitutionally mandated electoral preparations, potentially compromising the Commission’s ability to conduct credible elections.
Subsequent to the Senate vote, public discourse has been saturated with conflicting narratives regarding the precise position of the Senate.
They noted that three competing narratives have emerged which include that the Senate approved real-time electronic transmission and that existing Electoral Act 2022 provisions granting INEC discretionary powers over the procedure for results management were retained and alsonthat the Senate substituted “transmit” with “transfer” and removed the qualifier “real-time” from its version.
“It is deeply concerning that legislation of such significance is mired in political contestation.
Legal Certainty and the Issuance of the 2027 Election Timetable
“The delay in concluding the electoral amendment introduces legal uncertainty that may compromise preparations for the 2027 elections. Section 28 (1) Electoral Act 2022 empowers INEC to issue notice of elections 360 days before the date of election.” they argued.
They noted that the legal uncertainty created by ongoing amendments has apparently deterred INEC from releasing the timetable for the 2027 elections, placing the Commission in potential violation of the extant law. “The 2022 Electoral Act remains operative until amended. The inchoate status of the Electoral Bill does not suspend INEC’s statutory obligations. INEC’s established policy framework schedules general elections for the third Saturday of February in the election year, a convention designed to provide certainty for electoral stakeholders, facilitate systematic planning, and accommodate potential contingencies such as reruns, runoff elections, and post-election litigation. Applying this framework to the 2027 cycle yields an election date of February 20, 2027, requiring notice issuance by February 24, 2026.” they said.
The groups therefore urged INEC to issue the election timetable and schedule for the 2027 general election in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 without further delay.
This action they said would fulfil statutory obligations and insulate the Commission from legal challenge; provide political parties, candidates, and civil society with certainty necessary for systematic preparation; and establish baseline timelines that subsequent amendments can modify through transitional provisions if necessary. They futher stated thst indefinite postponement of notice issuance pending legislative resolution creates a vacuum that compounds administrative challenges and legal vulnerabilities.
They acknowledged the Senate’s decision to convene an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, adding “While it is widely believed that the sitting is convened to address matters related to the electoral amendment, we urge the Senate to utilize the opportunity to adopt unambiguous provisions through its Votes and Proceedings that explicitly adopts mandatory, real-time electronic transmission and collation of results, downloadable missing and unissued voter cards and retention of timelines for notice of elections, submission of list of nominated candidates and publication of list of candidates by INEC.”