By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja
It came as a surprise to many opposition politicians and civil society organisations on Wednesday when President Bola Tinubu swiftly signed the amended Electoral Act into law—barely 24 hours after its passage by the National Assembly.
The rapid assent has triggered widespread criticism, particularly from the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), which had urged the President to withhold approval over what it described as “dangerous ambiguities” capable of undermining electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Controversial Network Failure Clause
At the centre of the controversy is a new provision that permits Presiding Officers to rely on Form EC8A for manual result collation whenever electronic transmission is disrupted by alleged network failure.
The CNPP argues that while network challenges may exist in remote areas, the amendment fails to establish a clear, transparent, and independently verifiable system for determining when such failures actually occur.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, the coalition warned that leaving the decision solely to polling officials creates loopholes that could be exploited for electoral manipulation.
“In modern electoral governance, transparency must be anchored on measurable, auditable, and tamper-proof procedures,” the group stated.
Fears of Manipulation and Security Risks
Beyond transparency concerns, the CNPP also warned that the provision could expose officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to public suspicion and hostility.
According to the group, citizens often verify network availability with their personal devices. Any contradiction between public access and officials’ claims of failure could spark distrust, confrontation, and possible unrest at polling units.
The coalition fears this may not only compromise the credibility of election results but also endanger the safety of election personnel.
“Step Backwards” for Electoral Reform
Nigeria has made gradual progress toward technology-driven elections, including digital accreditation and electronic transmission of results.
However, critics say the amendment risks reversing those gains by reopening space for manual collation processes that lack strict oversight.
The CNPP described the move as a regression that could erode public confidence in the electoral system.
The group proposed several safeguards, including:
Independent real-time network verification systems
Mandatory authentication and timestamp checks before manual collation
Clear sanctions for false network failure claims
Third-party monitoring accessible to parties and observers
It urged Tinubu to return the bill with recommendations that prioritize technology and accountability.
Despite Pressure, Tinubu Assents
Despite mounting opposition from political groups, civil society actors, and election observers, President Tinubu proceeded with the signing at the State House Abuja around 5 p.m., witnessed by top lawmakers.
The bill had been fast-tracked through the legislature just days after INEC unveiled its roadmap for the 2027 elections.
Civil Society Reacts
Several civil society organisations expressed shock at the development. Among them were ActionAid and Yiaga Africa, both of which have long advocated for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results to reduce vote rigging.
Last week, activists and opposition figures protested at the National Assembly, demanding stronger technological safeguards to ensure credibility.
However, members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) defended the hybrid system, arguing that unreliable network coverage in rural communities makes full electronic transmission impractical.
What This Means for 2027
With the amendment now law, attention is shifting to how it will be implemented and whether the safeguards demanded by stakeholders will be introduced through regulations or further reforms.
For many Nigerians, the debate highlights a larger question: will electoral laws strengthen transparency—or create fresh opportunities for manipulation?
As the 2027 elections approach, trust in the system may depend on how convincingly those concerns are addressed.
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