By Chimezie Godfrey
The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has called on the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, to reinstate and guarantee mandatory electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.
In a statement issued on Monday, and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, FENRAD expressed concern over recent legislative actions it said were weakening provisions on electronic transmission, thereby undermining transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The civil society organisation described any attempt to dilute the use of technology in elections as a threat to democracy.
“Electronic transmission of results from polling units to a central viewing portal is not optional. It is a critical safeguard against manipulation and rigging,” the group stated.
FENRAD noted that the credibility of the 2027 general elections depends largely on the strength of the Electoral Act and warned that weakening the law could encourage electoral fraud and political instability.
The organisation demanded the explicit inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of results, clear legal backing for INEC to deploy technology, and an open, people-centred legislative process.
It further warned that failure to reinstate the provisions would compel civil society groups and labour unions to mobilise for peaceful mass action nationwide.