By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – CIVIL Society Organizations under the auspices of Expert Round Table on Electoral Act Amendment, Friday, warned that Senate’s amendment of the Electoral Act may undermine electronic transmission by prioritizing manual results weakens electoral safeguards and public confidence.

The warning was contained in a consensus report from the Expert Round Table on Electoral Act Amendment, and read by Prof Sam Amadi.

Amadi pointed out the implications of the recent amendment to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act and its consequences for election credibility and democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the expert meeting was organized as part of ongoing national efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework and ensure that electoral reforms enhance transparency, accountability, and public confidence in democratic processes.

The Expert Round Table on Electoral Act Amendment is convened by ActionAid Nigeria, YIAGA and Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria.

The Expert Round Table brought together a distinguished and multidisciplinary group of participants comprising academics, civil society leaders, election administrators, legal practitioners, engineers, and technology experts, as well as governance and public policy specialists.

The objective of this diversity of expertise was to ensure a comprehensive examination of the legal, institutional, technological, and democratic implications of the proposed amendment.

The participants include engineers and technology experts, which was particularly significant in assessing the technical feasibility, reliability, and integrity of electronic transmission systems, while election administrators and legal experts provided insights into operational realities and legal implications.

According to Prof Amadi, the Consensus Report reflects the collective views, key arguments, resolutions, and recommendations arising from the deliberations, and is intended to guide policymakers, legislators, electoral management bodies, civil society, and other stakeholders in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework and democratic future.

The report also emphasized that electronic transmission protects election results from manipulation during collation and ensures transparency and accountability.

However, the report maintained that Electronic transmission using BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) remain critical to ensuring that results declared reflect votes cast at polling units.

Participants also noted that real-time transmission enhances transparency and strengthens public confidence in elections.

He said: “Participants expressed concern that the Senate amendment may undermine electronic transmission by prioritizing manual results, thereby weakening electoral safeguards and public confidence in the electoral process.

“Participants emphasized that electoral reform must focus on strengthening electronic transmission, enhancing institutional independence, improving legal clarity, and addressing structural weaknesses affecting electoral integrity.

“Risk of weakening electronic transmission safeguards. Participants argued that making manual results legally superior to electronically transmitted results creates opportunities for manipulation during manual collation, historically the weakest point in Nigeria’s electoral process.

“Lack of clarity on mandatory electronic transmission. It was noted that the amendment does not explicitly require transmission using BVAS or specify clear procedures in cases of transmission failure, thereby creating legal ambiguity and potential loopholes.

“Weak legal status of INEC regulations and guidelines. Participants observed that many provisions relating to electronic transmission are contained in INEC regulations and guidelines rather than in the Electoral Act itself, weakening their legal enforceability.

“Risk of increased electoral litigation and judicialization of politics. Ambiguities in the amendment may increase election disputes, as conflicting interpretations between manual and electronic results could lead to prolonged litigation and judicial intervention.

“Institutional and Structural Challenges Affecting Electoral Integrity. Participants emphasized that electoral challenges in Nigeria extend beyond legal provisions to include institutional weaknesses, political interference, and insufficient bureaucratic capacity.”

Meanwhile, other key issues highlighted include: Weak independence of INEC due to executive influence in appointments; Vote buying and political interference; Judicialization of electoral outcomes; Weak enforcement of electoral laws; Political culture that tolerates electoral malpractice; These structural challenges undermine electoral integrity and must be addressed comprehensively through institutional reforms.

In the report’s recommendations, he (Amadi) said participants called for Judicial and legal reform; Investment in election technology; Stakeholder collaboration; and long-term electoral reform agenda.