By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has raised the alarm over growing legal uncertainty in Nigeria’s electoral framework, warning that delays and controversial amendments to the Electoral Bill could undermine preparations for the 2027 general elections.

At a joint press conference on Monday in Abuja, the groups urged the National Assembly’s conference committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ position on mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results, approval of downloadable voter cards (PVCs), and the retention of existing electoral timelines.

The coalition includes the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), The Kukah Centre, International Press Centre (IPC), Elect Her, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa, Yiaga Africa, and The Albino Foundation, with Dr. Jake Epelle reading the statement on their behalf.

The intervention follows the CSOs’ criticism on February 5 of the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission, opposition to downloadable PVCs for missing or unissued cards, and the shortening of key electoral timelines. The Senate also removed a proposed 10-year ban on the buying and selling of PVCs.

The groups warned that the divergence between the Senate and House positions has “profound implications for the integrity of the 2027 general elections,” stressing that electoral reform is foundational to credible, transparent, and predictable democratic transitions.

They highlighted public confusion over the Senate’s position, citing three competing interpretations: that the Senate endorsed real-time transmission, retained INEC’s discretionary powers, or replaced the term “transmit” with “transfer” while removing the qualifier “real-time.”

Beyond the legislature, the CSOs urged INEC to issue the 2027 election timetable in line with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, noting that the notice should be released by February 24, 2026, to allow proper planning.

Regarding electronic results transmission, the groups proposed technology-neutral language to mandate real-time electronic reporting from polling units to a public portal. They clarified that “real-time” refers to uploading results immediately after counting and public declaration at the polling unit, not automatic voting transmission.

On voter cards, the CSOs endorsed downloadable PVCs, citing that about 6.2 million voters in 2023 could not vote due to uncollected cards.

The coalition also warned against compressing electoral timelines, emphasizing that 360 days for election notice, 180 days for candidate submission, and 150 days for publication of nominations are essential for logistics, ballot production, and election integrity.

Finally, they called for an open review mechanism for election results, allowing reports not just from INEC officials but also from political parties, candidates, accredited agents, and observers.

The CSOs urged the National Assembly to complete the amendment process swiftly, transmit the final bill to the President within two weeks, and appealed to citizens to pressure legislators to protect election integrity.