Experts Warn Amendments May Undermine Electoral Transparency

Experts, including legal and technology specialists, have raised concerns that proposed amendments to Clause 60(3) of Nigeria's Electoral Act could weaken the electronic transmission of election results, which is crucial for electoral transparency. During a roundtable convened in Abuja by ActionAid Nigeria and Yiaga Africa, participants examined the implications of these amendments, emphasizing that the current law supports electronic transmission while the Senate's amendments affirm manual signing of poll unit results as valid.

This could reopen vulnerabilities in Nigeria's electoral process, which has historically faced allegations of manipulation. The forum stressed that credible elections are essential for political legitimacy and stability.

Experts noted that approximately 98% of polling units have network coverage, suggesting that infrastructure investment is necessary rather than reverting to manual processes. They criticized the Senate's version for lacking explicit mandates for electronic transmission and creating legal ambiguities that could lead to conflicts in interpretation.

The discussion concluded with a call for comprehensive reforms to strengthen the independence of electoral bodies and improve the legal framework governing electoral disputes.