CACOBAG, others warn NASS against weakening Nigeria’s electoral integrity

Stanley Ihedigbo

A coalition of civil society organisations has called for the amendment of the Electoral Act to make real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory, warning that any attempt to weaken the provision could undermine Nigeria’s democratic progress.

The Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance (CACOBAG), in conjunction with the Campaign for Democracy and Justice (CDJ), Campaign for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (CCHR), and the Centre for Credible Elections (CCE), made the demand in a press statement issued on February 9, 2026.

According to the Chairman, CACOBAG, Toyin Raheem, the groups described as “worrisome, disturbing and puzzling” what they called attempts by some members of the National Assembly to undermine the electoral process rather than strengthen the credibility of elections in the country.

According to the coalition, since the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Bashorun MKO Abiola, Nigeria has struggled to conduct elections that are widely accepted by citizens across local government, state and national levels.

The coalition recalled that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua admitted that the election that brought him to power was flawed and subsequently initiated electoral reform efforts aimed at strengthening the democratic process.

They also referenced the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform recommendations, which were widely applauded by civil society organisations but, according to the coalition, have largely been ignored by the political class.

The groups noted that innovations introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), have given Nigerians renewed hope of achieving credible elections.

They, however, alleged that attempts to make electronic transmission of election results optional rather than mandatory represent a major setback to democratic consolidation.

The coalition criticised the leadership of the National Assembly, alleging that some lawmakers were prioritising personal and political interests over national development and electoral integrity.

They argued that lawmakers who are unwilling to embrace technological advancements in electoral processes are unfit to hold public office, stressing that democracies across the world are increasingly adopting technology to improve transparency and credibility in elections.

The groups also dismissed arguments that Nigeria lacks the capacity for real-time electronic transmission of election results, noting that Point of Sale (POS) terminals function effectively even in remote parts of the country.

According to them, electoral corruption, including result manipulation and rigging, remains one of the worst forms of corruption because it enables other forms of corruption to thrive.

The coalition reaffirmed its support for the Civil Society Situation Room and ongoing civic actions aimed at strengthening electoral accountability.

The coalition listed several demands, including mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the amended Electoral Act, nullification of any election results not transmitted electronically in real time immediately after vote counting and endorsement by party agents.

Recall of senators allegedly involved in moves to make electronic transmission optional, respect for the sovereignty of the electorate in determining who holds public office and commitment to ensuring that the 2027 general elections reflect the true will of Nigerians.

The coalition warned that any attempt to manipulate the 2027 general elections could face strong resistance from citizens, adding that Nigerians are becoming increasingly politically aware and unwilling to tolerate electoral malpractice.

They also rejected fears of hacking, arguing that global digital financial and communication systems already operate despite cyber risks.

Quoting a Yoruba proverb, the coalition said society cannot abandon useful systems simply because of fear of misuse, stressing that manual election processes are more vulnerable to manipulation.

The groups maintained that real-time electronic transmission, if properly implemented, would enhance transparency, enable global observation and make it extremely difficult to alter election results without detection.

They emphasised that their advocacy is driven by national interest and the need to protect the future of the coming generations.

The coalition concluded by urging lawmakers to prioritise electoral reforms that strengthen democracy, insisting that the will of the Nigerian people must prevail in shaping the country’s electoral framework.