By Peter Oyedele, Abuja

A civil society organisation, the #FixPolitics Initiative, has called on the National Assembly to urgently amend the newly signed Electoral Reform Act to make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory rather than discretionary.

The appeal was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the group’s Executive Director, Anthony Ubani, during a press briefing attended by journalists and civil society representatives.

Ubani described the amended law as a setback for electoral transparency and public confidence, arguing that it ignores widespread public opposition and recommendations from election observers and civic groups.

According to him, despite peaceful demonstrations and clear demands for stronger safeguards, lawmakers passed a version of the Electoral Reform Bill that weakens provisions for real-time electronic transmission of results. He noted that the President has since assented to the legislation.

He warned that the development represents a regression at a critical stage in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, adding that at a time when citizens are demanding greater openness and accountability, the law appears to prioritise opacity over transparency.

Ubani stressed that electronic transmission of results directly from polling units in real time is a core democratic safeguard, not an optional reform. He argued that such a system protects results at their most vulnerable stage, reduces human interference, and enhances public trust in the electoral process.

The #FixPolitics Initiative therefore urged the National Assembly to introduce corrective legislation that would explicitly make real-time electronic transmission compulsory and non-negotiable.

He also appealed to the President to support a swift amendment to guarantee full transparency in future elections, cautioning that failure to act could undermine the credibility of subsequent polls.

Ubani warned that disregarding public concerns could weaken democratic legitimacy, noting that political authority in a democracy rests on the trust and consent of citizens. He added that Nigeria cannot afford another cycle of disputed elections or deepening distrust in its electoral system.

While advocating reform, he called on Nigerians to remain peaceful, law-abiding and vigilant, emphasising that the group supports lawful civic engagement.

He urged lawmakers to act promptly, stating that history would judge those who choose transparency and those who resist it.