President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday signed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 into law, markingan important milestone in Nigeria’s electoral reform process.
The signing follows the passage of the bill by the National Assembly on Tuesday after months of rigorous deliberations and legislative scrutiny.
Consequently, the new law has reignited nationwide debate over the electronic transmission of election results. Civil society organisations and opposition leaders have consistently pushed for real-time transmission of results from polling units directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) central server, arguing that it would boost transparency and reduce opportunities for manipulation.
Public protests erupted at the National Assembly last week, with demonstrators demanding mandatory live transmission. The agitation stems from controversies surrounding the 2023 general elections, when technical glitches disrupted uploads to INEC’s Results Viewing Portal, fueling public distrust.
While the ruling All Progressives Congress has expressed support for deeper integration of technology in elections, some stakeholders are advocating a phased or hybrid approach. They argue that areas with limited telecommunications infrastructure should retain manual collation options where electronic systems fail.
With the Electoral Act now officially in force, attention shifts to preparations for the 2027 general elections, as Nigeria continues to navigate the delicate balance between technological innovation and the practical realities of nationwide electoral logistics.
