Rejection of Electronic Results Transmission a Democratic Charade – TCM

ByNewsmakers

Feb 5, 2026 #election transparency Nigeria, #Electoral Act Amendment Nigeria, #electronic transmission of results, #Godswill Akpabio Senate, #INEC IReV portal, #National Assembly election bill, #Nigeria electoral reform, #real-time election results Nigeria, #Senate rejects electronic voting, #TCM condemns Senate decision

Matilda Omonaiye/

A socio-political organisation, The Collective Movement (TCM), has condemned the decision of the National Assembly to reject mandatory electronic transmission of election results, warning that the move threatens electoral transparency and Nigeria’s democratic future.

In a statement on Thursday, TCM described the action as a “charade” capable of eroding public confidence in elections, particularly at a time when technology-driven processes are increasingly central to credible polls worldwide.

The criticism followed Wednesday’s passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill by the Senate, which governs federal, state and FCT area council elections. Lawmakers, however, voted down a proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) that sought to make it compulsory for presiding officers to electronically transmit polling unit results in real time to the INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV).

Reacting, TCM National Leader, Oti Paul Obinna, urged Nigerians to demand a modern, technology-driven electoral system capable of curbing election-related violence, thuggery and manipulation.

“We must rise to demand a modern electoral process in Nigeria,” Obinna said. “How can we claim to be the ‘Giant of Africa’ while spending more on elections than countries like South Africa, which deploy advanced electoral technologies, yet cling to archaic methods designed to serve the hidden interests of those in power?”

TCM stressed that real-time electronic transmission of results via IReV is critical to election credibility, citing its benefits to include enhanced transparency, reduced post-election disputes, improved accuracy in collation and increased public confidence.

The group noted that while INEC has consistently promoted IReV as a transparency tool, the Senate’s refusal to make its deployment mandatory signals what it described as a dangerous regression in electoral integrity.

According to TCM, public access to polling unit results as they are announced would significantly limit allegations of manipulation and reduce the uncertainty that often fuels post-election unrest.

TCM therefore called on Nigerians to reject the Senate’s decision and insist on an electoral system that truly reflects the will of the people.

“The Godswill Akpabio-led Senate appears determined to stall democratic progress,” Obinna added. “Nigerians must remain vigilant to ensure that our votes are not only cast, but properly counted and transparently transmitted.”

The Collective Movement is a nationwide, people-driven platform committed to reshaping Nigeria’s political and socio-economic future through citizen empowerment and the promotion of a transparent, technology-driven and equitable society.