Former Minister of Education and founder of the FixPolitics Initiative, Obiageli Ezekwesili, on Monday declared that mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results is non-negotiable if Nigeria must conduct credible polls in 2027.

She spoke as protesters returned to the National Assembly for the second consecutive week, demanding that lawmakers retain compulsory, real-time electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026.

The demonstrators, including civil society organisations such as Situation Room and ActionAid, insisted that manual collation of results be completely eliminated to prevent manipulation during the collation process.

Security operatives barricaded entrances to the National Assembly complex, forcing protesters to hold their demonstration outside the gates.

The protest followed a five-day break by lawmakers after assurances were reportedly given during last Tuesday’s sitting.

Demonstrators, including civil society organisations such as Situation Room and ActionAid, insisted that manual collation be completely eliminated to prevent manipulation during the collation of results.

Specifically, Ezekwesili urged the Senate to mandate direct transmission of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission result viewing portal, IReV.

According to her, democracy cannot thrive in opacity, stressing that transparency is not optional but the foundation of credible elections and public trust.

She warned that without real-time transmission of results, the people’s mandate remains vulnerable to manipulation during collation processes.

The former presidential candidate maintained that electronic transmission would strengthen electoral integrity, reduce post-election disputes and restore citizens’ confidence in the democratic process.

She called on the Senate to rise above partisan and personal interests in considering the amendments and to put national interest first.

Recall that the Senate reconvened for an emergency plenary last Tuesday to revisit its earlier decision on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), had moved to remove the phrase “real-time” and replace “transmission” with “transfer,” a development that drew criticism from civil society groups.

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, at 11 a.m. to make further decisions on national issues.

(The Guardian)