The Nigerian Guild of Editors has raised an alarm over the Senate’s stance on the transmission of election results, warning that the current lack of mandatory electronic transmission could undermine the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
The NGE expressed their deep concern that the Senate’s adoption of provisions in the proposed Electoral Act which allows for the transmission of results without making it mandatory is creating a climate of doubt and mistrust among the Nigerian electorate.
The Guild noted that the resulting public outrage has the potential to discourage voter participation. The body emphasized that at a time when global standards are shifting toward electronic reforms to enhance transparency, the Senate’s current position represents a missed opportunity to strengthen accountability in the nation’s democratic process.
According to the NGE, the digitalization of elections, anchored on the real-time transmission of results, is essential to reducing disputes and curbing electoral fraud.
“The National Assembly still has an opportunity to uphold the highest standards of electoral integrity by approving mandatory and immediate transmission of election results from polling units to the INEC central server and collation centres,” the Guild stated. “Such a decision would lay a solid foundation for free and fair elections and help deepen democracy.”
The statement, signed by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, comes just as the Senate prepares to reconvene on February 10 to harmonize its position with the House of Representatives.
The Guild concluded that Nigerians are closely watching the legislative process, adding that making result transmission mandatory is the only way to ensure that citizens feel their votes will truly count in future cycles.
