PRESS STATEMENT
Abuja, Nigeria – The Civil Society Organization Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI) strongly condemns the version of the Electoral Bill 2026 just passed by the Nigerian Senate, which falls short of the Nigerian people's demands for transparent and credible elections.
This outcome further confirms concerns that the Senate appears to be acting contrary to the overwhelming wishes of Nigerians who have consistently demanded reforms that guarantee free, fair, transparent and technology-enabled elections. The Senate’s version leaves dangerous room for manipulation and contestation of election results.
While the Senate claims to have accommodated electronic transmission of election results, its revised Clause 60(3) fails to mandate real-time transmission from every polling unit to the INEC IReV portal as clearly provided in the House of Representatives' version. Instead, it retains discretionary language that makes transmission conditional on technical feasibility and administrative interpretation.
This flawed position effectively relegates Form EC8A as the “primary” evidence where electronic systems fail — a situation that risks ambiguity, manipulation, and controversy similar to what was witnessed in the 2023 elections.
The 24-member Conference and Harmonization Committee now carries the responsibility of defending the trust reposed in them by the Nigerian people. It is imperative that the Committee adopts the House of Representatives’ version of the Bill, which aligns with Nigerians’ demand for real-time electronic transmission of election results.
SOAI further calls on Nigerians to demand that the Conference Committee’s deliberations be televised live, ensuring transparency and accountability at this critical stage of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Recommendations to the Conference Committee:
- Adopt the House of Representatives’ version mandating real-time transmission of results to the IReV portal, including the 369-day election timetable framework and electronic PVC downloads.
- Ensure Conference Committee proceedings are televised live and open to public scrutiny nationwide.
The Committee must align with the Nigerian people and resist any attempt to dilute the Bill. Democracy requires transparency, accountability, and fidelity to the will of the people.
To all Nigerians, civil society organizations, youth, women, media, faith groups, and well-meaning citizens: remain vigilant, mobilized, and engaged. Democracy is not a spectator sport.
The choice now rests with the conscience of those harmonizing this Bill. Our votes must count.
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Signed,
Kenneth Eze
Lead Director
Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI)
Abuja, Nigeria
February 10, 2026
#ProtectTheVote #ElectronicTransmissionRealTime
#CredibleElectionIsNonNegotiable #ConferenceCommitteeMustDeliver
#ReversetheShorterTimelines #NoToSystemicRigging
