The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has urged the National Assembly to approve legislation mandating the immediate electronic transmission of election results from polling units to central collation centres, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued Monday in Abuja, the guild’s President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh expressed concern over the Senate’s current stance, which allows the transmission of election results without making it compulsory or immediate.
According to the NGE, this position runs counter to the expectations of most Nigerians and many lawmakers, raising concerns over public trust in the electoral process.
“The Senate’s current approach leaves much to be desired at a time when citizens are calling for transparency, and countries across the globe are adopting electronic result transmission to strengthen democratic credibility,” the guild said.
The editors warned that delaying or making the transmission optional could discourage voter participation in future elections and undermine ongoing efforts to deepen democratic governance.
The guild emphasised that electronic and immediate reporting of results has become a global standard for improving electoral efficiency and credibility.
As the National Assembly reconvenes on Feb. 10 to harmonise its position with the House of Representatives, the NGE urged lawmakers to adopt measures that would ensure results from polling units are sent directly to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) central server and collation centres in real time.
The guild stated that digitalized elections would enhance transparency, accuracy, and efficiency, boost voter confidence, reduce disputes, and curb electoral fraud.
It also stressed that aligning electoral reforms with digital innovations is essential to strengthening democratic processes and restoring public trust.
“Nigeria should not fall behind global democratic standards. Mandatory and immediate transmission of election results is critical to achieving credible elections,” the guild added, urging the National Assembly to take a decisive and forward-looking approach on the matter.
The NGE noted that Nigerians are closely watching the National Assembly’s deliberations and expressed hope that the harmonized provisions from both chambers would reflect modern and progressive electoral practices.
