2027: CSOs Task National Assembly on Electronic Results, PVCs
By Comfort Chukwukelue
Civil Society Organisations have asked the National Assembly’s conference committee on the Electoral Bill to adopt the House of Representatives’ position on the mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The groups also demanded the approval of downloadable voter cards for missing or unissued Permanent Voter Cards and the retention of existing electoral timelines, which they described as critical to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The call followed an earlier intervention by the groups on Feb. 5, where they raised concerns over the Senate’s rejection of key reform provisions. These include the electronic transmission of results, downloadable voter cards, and the compression of statutory timelines.
The CSOs further criticized the Senate’s removal of a proposed 10-year ban on offences related to the buying and selling of PVCs.
According to the organisations, the conflicting positions of the Senate and the House of Representatives have created legal uncertainty capable of undermining electoral preparedness and public confidence.
They stressed that electoral reform is central to democratic integrity, transparency, and credible political transitions.
The groups noted that public discourse following the Senate’s vote has been marked by confusion and contradictory interpretations.
Questions remain over whether the Senate approved real-time electronic transmission, merely retained the Independent National Electoral Commission’s discretionary powers under the Electoral Act 2022, or replaced the word “transmit” with “transfer” while removing the requirement for real-time reporting.
They warned that ambiguity in electoral legislation is “unacceptable” and poses a threat to electoral credibility.
Citing Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, the organisations reminded INEC of its obligation to issue a notice of election at least 360 days before the poll.
They emphasised that the ongoing amendment process does not suspend the operation of the existing law, warning that INEC’s failure to release the 2027 election timetable could amount to a violation of the Act.
Based on INEC’s practice of holding general elections on the third Saturday of February, the 2027 polls are expected to hold on Feb. 20, 2027, requiring the issuance of notice by Feb. 24, 2026.
The groups, therefore, called on INEC to immediately release the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections.
Ahead of the Senate’s emergency plenary scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, the lawmakers were urged to clearly adopt provisions that guarantee:
Mandatory, real-time electronic transmission and collation of results;
Downloadable voter cards for missing and unissued PVCs;
Retention of statutory timelines for notice of elections and candidate nominations.
The groups also highlighted INEC data from the 2023 elections showing that over 6.2 million registered voters were disenfranchised due to uncollected PVCs, arguing that downloadable cards would reduce voter exclusion.
On the review of election results, they argued that limiting such reviews solely to reports filed by INEC officials undermines accountability. They recommended expanding eligible reporters to include political parties, candidates, agents, and observers.
The CSOs called on the National Assembly to conclude the harmonization of the bill and transmit the final version to the President within two weeks.
