CODE Faults Senate’s Electoral Act Amendments, Warns Against Transparency Gaps Ahead Of 2027 Polls

Maryam Aminu

Civil society organisation, Connected Development (CODE), has raised concerns over key decisions taken by the Nigerian Senate on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, warning that the failure to mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by Nankpak Cirfat, Communications Officer, CODE described the Senate’s refusal to legally compel the real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units as a major setback for transparency, accountability, and electoral credibility.

While acknowledging the passage of some amendments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework, the organisation maintained that leaving electronic transmission to discretion preserves loopholes that have historically enabled manipulation during result collation and transmission.

CODE also criticised the Senate’s decision to compress key electoral timelines, including the reduction of the notice period for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish election notices from 360 days to 180 days, as well as the shortening of deadlines for political parties to submit candidate lists.

According to the organisation, the compressed timelines could weaken election logistics, voter education, disability access planning, and effective oversight by civil society organisations and the media.

The group further noted that although lawmakers increased fines for electoral offences such as vote buying, they rejected proposals for stiffer penalties, retaining two-year imprisonment terms and fines as the primary sanctions.

It added that while the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was retained, the rejection of electronically generated voter identification leaves the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the sole valid means of identification at polling units, despite persistent challenges with access and replacement.

Commenting on the development, Acting Chief Executive of CODE, Hyeladzira James Mshelia, warned that Nigeria’s electoral history shows that the gravest threats to credible elections often occur during result collation and transmission.
“When transparency is left to discretion, democracy is left to chance. Failing to mandate electronic transmission of results and compressing critical timelines without strengthening accountability weakens, rather than fortifies, Nigeria’s electoral integrity,” Mshelia said.

CODE urged the National Assembly to use the harmonisation process with the House of Representatives to explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results, strengthen safeguards against manipulation, revisit compressed timelines, and ensure electoral offences attract penalties strong enough to deter abuse.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to working with citizens, the media, civil society partners, and reform-minded legislators to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and ensure that every vote including those of marginalised communities not only counts, but is seen to count.