…back E-transmission, downloadable PVCs in the electoral bill
Civil society organisations (CSOs) have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately release the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the amendment of the Electoral Act.
The call was made on Monday in Abuja during the presentation of a joint civil society statement on the harmonisation of the Electoral Bill by the National Assembly. The statement was read by Jake Epelle, Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa and founder of the Albino Foundation, on behalf of several organisations, including the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa, and Yiaga Africa.
The groups expressed deep concern over the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, approval of downloadable voter cards for missing or unissued Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and the shortening of critical electoral timelines in its version of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
They warned that the divergence between the Senate and the House of Representatives poses serious risks to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
According to the CSOs, electoral reform is fundamental to democratic integrity and not merely a procedural exercise. They noted that the prolonged amendment process has created legal uncertainty that is already affecting INEC’s constitutionally mandated preparations for the next general elections.
They said Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers INEC to issue a notice of elections not later than 360 days before the election date, stressing that the existing law remains valid until amended. The organisations argued that delays in concluding the Electoral Bill should not prevent INEC from fulfilling its statutory obligations.
Based on INEC’s established policy of holding general elections on the third Saturday of February, the CSOs noted that the 2027 general election should be held on February 20, 2027, requiring the commission to issue the notice of elections by February 24, 2026.
“The delay in concluding the electoral amendment introduces legal uncertainty that may compromise preparations for the 2027 elections. Section 28 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers INEC to issue a notice of elections 360 days before the date of the election.
“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,” Epelle said.
The organisations also called on the Senate to use its planned emergency plenary session to adopt unambiguous provisions that mandate real-time electronic transmission and collation of election results, approve downloadable PVCs, and retain existing timelines for notice of elections, submission of candidates’ lists and publication of nominated candidates by INEC.
On the harmonisation process, the CSOs urged the conference committee of the National Assembly to adopt the House of Representatives’ position on mandatory electronic transmission of results, while ensuring the law remains technology-neutral to accommodate future innovations.
They further recommended that provisions allowing INEC to review election results be expanded to permit political parties, candidates, accredited agents and observers to trigger such reviews, rather than restricting the process to reports filed solely by INEC officials.
The groups warned that restricting the power of review could undermine accountability, citing past election tribunal judgments that found instances of electoral malpractice involving some election officials.
The CSOs also called on the National Assembly to expedite the harmonisation of the Electoral Bill and transmit the final version to the President within two weeks. They also urged citizens to demand accountability from their representatives and resist any attempt to weaken safeguards critical to conducting credible elections in 2027.
“As key stakeholders in the electoral process, we urge citizens and all stakeholders to demand accountable representation from their legislators in the National Assembly by pressuring them to prioritise the public interest and the integrity of the elections by passing the provisions on real-time electronic transmission of election results, curtailing the disenfranchisement of voters by introducing downloadable PVCs, and resisting any attempt to weaken established timelines that are crucial for conducting credible elections,” he added
