The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the National Assembly to urgently reconsider and approve a proposed amendment to the Electoral Act that would make the electronic transmission of election results from polling units mandatory.
The call followed the adoption of a report presented by NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, at the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno State, on February 5, 2026. The report raised concerns over the Senate’s recent rejection of an amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, which sought to compel presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately transmit results to the INEC Result Viewing portal after signing and stamping Form EC8A.
According to the NBA, the current discretionary language in the law, which allows results to be transmitted “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission,” weakens the legal foundation for transparent elections. The NEC noted that this ambiguity could lead to manipulation, misinterpretation, and post-election disputes.
The council emphasized that explicit statutory requirements are essential to protect the integrity of votes, safeguard electoral transparency, and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The NBA further stressed that the use of technology for transparency is critical in modern elections and urged lawmakers to align Nigeria’s electoral framework with global best practices.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing advocacy and engagement to ensure that Nigeria’s electoral laws reflect the will of the people at the ballot box.
With electronic transmission, election results would be available in real time, reducing the chances of manipulation and improving public trust in the electoral process. The NBA called on the National Assembly to act swiftly to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
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