The Nigerian House of Representatives today moves to rescind a critical amendment to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The move, which seeks to walk back provisions regarding the “real-time” electronic transmission of election results, has sparked a sharp divide among lawmakers.
During the plenary session, the motion was introduced to revisit Clause 60(3) of the bill. While earlier versions of the amendment aimed to mandate the immediate electronic upload of results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), the new proposal seeks to grant the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) more discretionary power over the transmission process.
Opposition lawmakers and transparency advocates expressed fierce resistance to the motion, arguing that removing the mandatory real-time transmission requirement undermines the credibility of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The debate during the session led to a temporary halt in proceedings. Proponents of the rescission argue that technical infrastructure across the country remains insufficient to support a strict mandatory requirement without a “manual backup” being the primary legal source.
The legislative tension coincides with growing public outcry and protests at the National Assembly gates, led by various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) demanding that the “real-time” clause be retained to prevent result manipulation.
The Speaker of the House attempted to restore order as members from different political blocs clashed over the legal implications of the change. Those in favor of the rescission claim it is a “pragmatic” approach to avoid legal challenges in areas with poor internet connectivity, while critics label the move as “retrogressive.”
This development comes as the National Assembly enters the final stages of harmonizing the bill. A Conference Committee is expected to reconcile the differing versions passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives before the bill is transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
The House of Representatives reaffirms its commitment to a robust electoral framework but remains deeply split on the technicalities that will define the transparency of Nigeria’s future polls. Further deliberations on the motion have been adjourned to a later date to allow for broader consultation.
