Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed concern over the Senate’s position on the transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the controversy could erode public trust in the electoral process.
In a statement signed by Eze Anaba, its president, and Onuoha Ukeh, general secretary, on Monday, the Guild said it was troubled by the uncertainty generated by the Senate’s adoption of provisions in the proposed 2022 Electoral Act that allow the transmission of election results “without making it mandatory and immediate.”
According to the editors, “this development is already creating room for doubt and mistrust in the electoral process among Nigerians.”
The NGE noted that the Senate’s position runs contrary to the “widely held position of most Nigerians and many lawmakers,” adding that the backlash has “pitted citizens against the Senate and could potentially discourage voter participation in future elections.”
The Guild described the move as “a missed opportunity to strengthen transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process,” warning that it “undermines ongoing efforts to deepen democratic governance and ensure credible elections.”
Citing global best practices, the Guild stated that “mandatory electronic transmission of election results has become a standard for improving electoral credibility and efficiency,” stressing that “Nigeria should not be an exception.” It urged the National Assembly, as it reconvenes to harmonise positions with the House of Representatives, to approve “mandatory and immediate transmission of election results from polling units to the INEC central server and collation centres.”
The editors argued that digitalisation anchored on real-time transmission would “enhance transparency, efficiency, accuracy, and voter confidence,” while also helping to “reduce disputes, minimise controversies, and significantly curb electoral fraud.”
They cautioned that “anything short of this will be out of step with contemporary and progressive electoral practices,” adding that mandatory and immediate transmission “will not only enhance free and fair elections but also give Nigerians the confidence that their votes will truly count.”
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