Igini Warns Against Setback in Electoral Reforms Amid Senate Debate on E-Transmission

Former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, has expressed concern over what he described as a backward slide in Nigeria’s electoral reform process, warning that renewed uncertainty around electronic transmission of results could undermine preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Igini said it was disheartening that issues previously considered settled were being reopened years after extensive reform efforts.

He recalled that reforms aimed at strengthening the credibility of elections began during the tenure of former INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, and continued under subsequent leadership. According to him, revisiting such debates reflects a regression in the country’s democratic progress.

The former REC, who spent nearly a decade within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and over 30 years advocating electoral reforms, described recent developments as personally frustrating, saying they made years of effort appear “wasted.”

Igini also criticised what he termed the sidelining of INEC in the ongoing debate over amendments to the Electoral Act 2022. He argued that as the body constitutionally mandated to conduct elections, INEC should not be excluded from critical discussions about result transmission and other operational matters.

He emphasised the importance of granting clear legal backing to the Result Viewing Portal (IReV), insisting that concerns about network challenges should not be used as grounds to weaken electronic transmission reforms.

The controversy follows the Senate’s consideration of proposed amendments to the Electoral Act. Tensions rose after lawmakers initially rejected a clause that sought to make real-time electronic transmission of polling-unit results mandatory.

The debate intensified on February 4 when the Senate passed an amendment bill that, among other changes, reduced the timeline for INEC to publish election notices from 360 days to 180 days.

At the heart of the dispute was Clause 60(3), which proposed that presiding officers must electronically upload polling-unit results to the IReV portal immediately after completing Form EC8A, effectively making electronic transmission a legal requirement. The Senate initially rejected the provision, opting to retain the existing clause that allows INEC to determine the mode of transmission.

The decision sparked protests at the National Assembly by civil society groups and political figures, including Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and activist Aisha Yesufu, who demanded compulsory real-time electronic transmission of results.

While the House of Representatives adopted the mandatory transmission clause, the Senate later reversed its earlier stance during an emergency plenary on February 10. Lawmakers approved electronic transmission but retained manual collation as a backup in the event of technological failure.

The amendment bill, sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno and supported by Minority Leader Abba Moro, was passed by voice vote. Both chambers are expected to harmonise their versions before forwarding the final legislation for passage.