By Felix Khanoba
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has called on the National Assembly’s conference committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ position on mandatory electronic transmission of election results, introduction of downloadable voter cards and retention of existing electoral timelines, warning that any dilution of these provisions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The groups,which include Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa and Yiaga Africa, made the call in a statement read on their behalf by rights advocate, Jake Epelle, at a press conference on Monday in Abuja.
The coalition said the divergence between the two chambers of National Assembly, particularly over electronic transmission of results, downloadable Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and electoral timelines, has “profound implications for the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
According to the groups, “electoral reform is not merely a procedural exercise; it is foundational to the credibility, transparency, and predictability of democratic transitions,” adding that the prolonged amendment process has created legal uncertainty capable of affecting preparations for the next general election.
The civil society groups expressed concern over what they described as conflicting narratives surrounding the Senate’s position on electronic transmission of results, noting that the confusion has deepened public distrust.
“It is deeply concerning that legislation of such significance is mired in political contestation,” the coalition said.
The organisations also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue the notice and timetable for the 2027 general elections in line with the Electoral Act 2022.
They noted that Section 28(1) of the Act empowers INEC to issue notice of elections 360 days before the polls, warning that delays could put the commission in violation of the law.
The coalition explained that based on INEC’s established policy of holding general elections on the third Saturday of February, the 2027 polls are expected to hold on February 20, 2027, meaning the notice should be issued by February 24, 2026.
“We urge 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,” they said.
They said this would fulfil statutory obligations, provide certainty for political parties and other stakeholders, and establish baseline timelines that any future amendments could adjust through transitional provisions.
On the ongoing harmonisation process, the coalition called on the conference committee to adopt unambiguous provisions that mandate real-time electronic transmission and collation of results, allow downloadable voter cards and retain existing electoral timelines.
Specifically, the groups recommended that Clause 60(3) of the bill be amended to read: “The designated election official shall electronically transmit all election results in real time, including the number of accredited voters, directly from the polling units and collation centres to a public portal and the transmitted result shall be used to verify any other result before it is collated.”
The coalition clarified that real-time transmission means uploading the official polling unit results electronically immediately after counting and public announcement at the polling unit, in the presence of party agents, observers and voters.
“It ensures that the exact results recorded at the polling unit are uploaded and available for public verification before they are physically transported for collation,” the groups said.
On Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the civil society groups also urged the committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ position allowing downloadable missing and unissued voter cards.
They cited INEC data from the 2023 elections, which showed that about 6.2 million registered voters failed to collect their PVCs, leading to what they described as effective disenfranchisement.
“Downloadable PVCs eliminate such barriers to voter participation,” the coalition said.
On electoral timelines, the groups recommended retaining the current provisions of 360 days for notice of elections, 180 days for submission of candidate lists and 150 days for publication of candidates by INEC, warning that compressed timelines could increase logistical risks and operational failures.
The coalition also criticised a provision in Section 65 of the bill that restricts the filing of reports to trigger a review of election results to INEC officials alone.
It argued that such a restriction would bar political parties, candidates, agents and observers from initiating reviews, even where there is strong evidence of manipulated results.
“We therefore recommend that the scope of persons eligible to file reports should be broadened to include political parties, candidates, accredited party agents, and observers present during collation of results,” the groups said.
While urging members of the conference committee to act in the national interest and conclude the amendment process quickly, the coalition called on the National Assembly to transmit the final bill to the President within two weeks and appealed to citizens to demand accountability from their representatives.
