February 6, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
ABUJA, Nigeria — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong warning to the Nigerian Senate, insisting that proposed changes to the Electoral Act must include a mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to collation centres nationwide, parties and civil rights advocates said on Friday.
The ADC’s position was articulated in a statement signed by the party’s national chairman, Christianah Yusuf, who said that adopting electronic results transmission is a critical reform necessary to enhance transparency, reduce manipulation, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral processes.
The call comes amid ongoing legislative debates in the Senate over amendments to the Electoral Act, disclosing electoral procedures and certification standards ahead of the 2027 general elections. While some lawmakers have resisted making electronic transmission a mandatory requirement citing infrastructure, network reliability and logistical challenges the ADC and allied civil society organisations argue that modernising result-reporting mechanisms is essential for free and fair elections.
In its statement, the ADC said that technological solutions — such as automated real-time transmission of certified polling unit results would significantly reduce opportunities for result manipulation, delays and disputes that have historically followed Nigeria’s elections. The party also pointed to international practices in many democracies that use electronic result transmission to enhance the credibility and speed of election outcomes.
“We believe that the integrity of our democratic process depends on how election results are compiled and shared,” the ADC statement said. “Without mandatory electronic transmission, every election cycle will be vulnerable to reports of altered figures, missing documentation, and undue influence.”
The party’s warning highlighted past election cycles where delayed reporting, manual collation and discrepancies in result sheets contributed to controversy and legal challenges. The ADC stated that adopting electronic systems backed by appropriate legal mandates would help ensure transparency and boost citizen confidence in the electoral process.
Conversely, some critics in the Senate and among political stakeholders argue that existing infrastructure gaps, limited mobile network coverage in rural areas, and potential cybersecurity risks could hinder immediate implementation of mandatory electronic transmission across all polling units. They have suggested a phased approach or provisions for alternative reporting in areas with connectivity challenges.
Civil society organisations, including youth and election monitoring groups, have largely backed the ADC’s position, urging lawmakers to adopt reforms that “meet modern standards” and are supported by targeted investments in electoral technology and training for electoral officials.
Political analysts say that while technical and logistical concerns are valid, the absence of a clear legal mandate for electronic transmission could leave Nigeria’s electoral system open to continued disputes over result integrity a recurring issue that has affected citizen trust in outcomes at both federal and state levels.
As deliberations continue, key stakeholders including political parties, resident electoral commissioners, media organisations and civil rights advocates are expected to maintain pressure on the National Assembly to adopt progressive reforms that leverage technology while ensuring accessibility and inclusion for all regions.