By Nkechi Eze
Leading democracy advocates, scholars, and electoral reform stakeholders have warned that amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act and technological innovations such as electronic transmission of results will not by themselves guarantee credible elections unless deeper structural and behavioural problems within the country’s democratic system are urgently addressed.
The position emerged during a technical session of the Electoral Forum held on February 10, 2026, via Zoom, where participants conducted a comprehensive review of proposed amendments to the Electoral Act and examined contentious issues surrounding the electronic transmission of election results, including the operation of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
Chairman of the session, Professor Adele Jinadu, set the tone in his opening remarks by stressing that Nigeria’s democratic challenges go far beyond legal or technological reforms. He warned that the focus on electoral amendments risks overlooking deeper systemic weaknesses such as the lack of accountability within political parties, flawed primary election processes, and the persistent abuse of state resources to manipulate electoral outcomes.
He cautioned that even the most well-crafted legislation could be undermined by those entrusted with implementing it, noting that institutions responsible for safeguarding democracy, including the Independent National Electoral Commission and the judiciary, must demonstrate integrity and independence for reforms to have meaningful impact.
Deliberations during the session traced the historical evolution of electronic result transmission in Nigeria, linking its origins to reforms initiated during the tenure of former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, which sought to improve transparency and public trust in elections. Participants observed that while electoral malpractice at polling units had reduced in recent years, manipulation had shifted to collation centres, prompting the adoption of electronic transmission systems as a corrective measure.
However, the Forum expressed concern that ambiguities in the Electoral Act and existing electoral guidelines have created uncertainty around the legal and operational framework for electronic transmission. Participants warned that recent amendment proposals, if not properly clarified, could worsen confusion and weaken electoral integrity rather than strengthen it.
The Forum also raised serious questions about the handling of the IReV portal during the 2023 general election, noting with concern the absence of a bipartisan public inquiry by the National Assembly into the technical failures recorded during the exercise. Members stressed that a transparent and independent investigation involving technical experts was necessary to establish the facts and restore public confidence.
Participants further emphasized the urgent need for INEC to clearly communicate its position on electronic transmission, particularly in light of uncertainties surrounding ongoing amendments. They noted that unless new legislation is signed into law, provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act remain binding, making clarity from the Commission essential to prevent future disputes.
Concerns were also raised about the human element in election administration, with participants stressing that the quality, independence, and competence of electoral personnel remain critical determinants of electoral credibility. The Forum noted that the Electoral Act already provides the Commission with powers to review and overturn questionable results within seven days, particularly where intimidation or coercion has influenced collation officials, but observed that such powers have rarely been fully exercised.
Participants highlighted broader governance challenges, including the misuse of state resources, the influence of incumbency, weak political party structures, and the lack of transparency in campaign financing, warning that these factors pose greater threats to democracy than technological limitations.
The Forum also emphasized the importance of post-election audits, describing them as essential tools for identifying weaknesses, improving processes, and rebuilding trust. It called on INEC to fully implement its existing policy on post-election reviews, noting that such audits would strengthen accountability and deter malpractice.
In addition, the meeting underscored the risks associated with Nigeria’s decentralized collation system, particularly the challenges of transmitting results directly from polling units to central servers without adequate safeguards. Participants stressed the need for proper server management protocols, robust system testing, and comprehensive training of electoral officials to ensure reliability and security.
Political financing emerged as another major concern, with the Forum warning that unchecked campaign spending undermines electoral fairness. Participants called for strict enforcement of campaign finance laws and heavy sanctions against political parties and individuals who violate regulations.
The Forum also highlighted the need for merit-based appointments within electoral and judicial institutions to preserve independence and professionalism, while advocating stronger civic education to improve public understanding of electoral processes and reforms.
At the conclusion of the deliberations, participants urged electoral authorities to embrace greater transparency, conduct an independent investigation into the IReV challenges of the 2023 election, implement mandatory post-election audits, strengthen training and capacity development for electoral officials, and enforce strict campaign finance controls.
They also emphasized the importance of strengthening internal democracy within political parties, improving regulatory clarity, enhancing electronic system security, and empowering citizens to play a more active role in protecting electoral integrity.
Above all, the Forum concluded that while electoral reforms and technological innovations remain important, the survival and credibility of Nigeria’s democracy ultimately depend on political will, institutional integrity, and the commitment of leaders and citizens to uphold democratic values.
