By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – A coalition of civil society organisations has urged the National Assembly’s conference committee on the Electoral Bill to adopt the House of Representatives’ proposals mandating real-time electronic transmission of election results, approving downloadable voter cards, and retaining existing electoral timelines ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups said the Senate’s rejection of key reform provisions has created legal uncertainty and threatens electoral preparedness and public confidence.
The warning was issued on Monday at a joint CSOs Press Confrence held at Abuja Continental Hotel. The CSOs are the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa, Yiaga Africa, and others.
The Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa Jack Epella while addressing the journalists on behalf of the CSOs, recalled an earlier intervention on 5 February, where the organisations criticised the Senate for dropping provisions on electronic transmission of results, downloadable voter cards for missing or unissued Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), compressed statutory timelines, and the proposed 10-year ban on PVC-related vote trading.
They warned that the conflicting positions of the Senate and the House undermine democratic integrity, noting that electoral reform is “fundamental to credible transitions, not a technical exercise.”
Confusion Over Senate Vote
The organisations said public debate following the Senate vote has been clouded by contradictory claims, ranging from whether real-time electronic transmission was approved, to whether INEC’s discretion under the Electoral Act 2022 was merely retained, or whether “transmit” was replaced with “transfer” without a real-time requirement.“Such ambiguity in electoral legislation is unacceptable,” the statement said.
INEC Urged to Release 2027 Timetable
Citing Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, the groups stressed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is legally required to issue a notice of election 360 days before polling day, regardless of ongoing amendments.
Applying INEC’s established practice of holding general elections on the third Saturday of February, the 2027 polls are expected on 20 February 2027, requiring notice by 24 February 2026. The groups warned that any delay would violate the law and jeopardise early preparations.
They called on INEC to immediately release the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections.
Ahead of Senate Emergency Plenary
With an emergency Senate plenary scheduled for Tuesday, 10 February 2026, the organisations urged lawmakers to use the opportunity to clearly adopt provisions guaranteeing mandatory, real-time electronic transmission and collation of results; downloadable voter cards; and the retention of statutory timelines for elections and nominations.
Key Demands to Conference Committee.
The coalition called on the conference committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ technology-neutral framework for real-time electronic transmission of results, allowing flexibility in implementation while ensuring transparency.
They also cited INEC data from the 2023 elections showing that more than 6.2 million registered voters were disenfranchised due to uncollected PVCs, arguing that downloadable voter cards would significantly reduce voter exclusion. Existing timelines, 360 days for election notice, 180 days for submission of candidates, and 150 days for publication, should be retained to avoid logistical failures.
On election result reviews, the groups opposed limiting reports to INEC officials alone, calling for expanded eligibility to include political parties, candidates, accredited agents, and observers.
Call for Swift Action
The organisations urged the National Assembly to conclude harmonisation of the Electoral Bill and transmit it to the President within two weeks, while calling on citizens to demand accountability and resist any attempt to weaken electoral safeguards ahead of 2027.
