President Bola Ahmed Tinubu don declare say electronic transmission of election results no fit replace manual voting and counting for Nigeria electoral system.
Tinubu talk on Wednesday shortly after he sign the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill into law for Presidential Villa, Abuja. The signing come few days after Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) release timetable for 2027 general elections.
The amendment spark serious public debate over whether results suppose transmit live from polling units without manual backup.
Technology Na Support, Not Replacement
According to the President, no matter how advanced technology be, na human beings still dey manage and announce results.
“You no dey talk to computer for final result, na human beings go announce am,” Tinubu talk.
He stress say manual voting and counting remain central, while electronic transmission na support mechanism to help transparency.
“Wetín we dey look at na transmission of manual results, but we must avoid glitches,” he add, expressing optimism say Nigeria democracy go continue flourish.
Protest Rock N’Assembly
Before the bill pass, civil society groups and opposition figures protest for National Assembly complex, demanding compulsory real-time transmission of results direct to INEC server.
Dem argue say e go reduce manipulation and increase credibility.
However, ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and some stakeholders argue say poor network for rural areas make full real-time transmission difficult, preferring hybrid system.
Akpabio: Every Vote Go Count
Speaking after the signing, Senate President Godswill Akpabio say the amended law go ensure every Nigerian vote count.
He explain say polling unit results must transmit electronically to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), but EC8A forms signed at polling units remain primary source.
“If wetin upload for IReV different from wetin collate later, Nigerians go see am,” Akpabio say, adding say the law eliminate tampering once results leave polling unit.
Speaker: Election Date Shift
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, highlight reduction of election notice period from 360 days to 300 days.
According to am, this move fit shift presidential and National Assembly elections to January 2027 and avoid clash with Ramadan period.
Igini Blast Amendment, Blame Judiciary
Meanwhile, former Cross River Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, criticise the amendment, calling am “recipe for chaos.”
Speaking on television interview, Igini blame Judiciary for past setbacks to electoral reforms, recalling Supreme Court decisions wey weaken electronic innovations like smart card reader and IReV portal.
He warn say retaining manual collation as fallback fit expose presiding officers to danger and bring back abuses similar to old “incident form.”
“When presiding officer say no network even when network dey, you dey put that person life for risk,” he caution.
Igini urge Tinubu to reconsider the amendment, reminding am of him pro-democracy background.
He also stress say leadership suppose be decided at polling units, not inside courtroom.
2027 Elections Ahead
The 2027 general elections scheduled for February 20 (Presidential and National Assembly) and March 6 (Governorship and State Assembly).
As debate continue, many Nigerians dey watch closely to see how the new Electoral Act go shape credibility and stability of the next election cycle.
