HURIWA faults Senate over electoral bill 2026, decries omission of mandatory real-time result transmission

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the Senate’s passage of the Electoral Bill 2026, describing its decision to exclude a mandatory provision for real-time electronic transmission of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as deeply shocking and profoundly troubling.

In a statement issued on Monday, HURIWA strongly criticised the Senate for what it called the “flat and absolutely unfair rejection” of proposed amendments to Section 60 of the electoral law, which sought to make real-time electronic upload of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal compulsory.

The rights group said the decision amounted to a deliberate retention of an electoral framework that enables manipulation, result falsification and electoral malpractice.

HURIWA declared its full support for the mass protest tagged “Occupy National Assembly,” which has drawn citizens and civil society organisations to Abuja to demand the immediate inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of results in the amended law. According to the group, the protest is a lawful exercise of constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful assembly and expression.

The organisation also appealed to security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, not to disrupt the demonstrations. It urged protesters to remain peaceful, disciplined and law-abiding, stressing that peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy.

HURIWA warned that under no circumstances should lethal force be used against peaceful demonstrators, recalling previous incidents where protests were violently suppressed.

Expressing concern over what it described as an “overbearing security presence” at protest venues, HURIWA noted that personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had been deployed.

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The group questioned why security agencies that should be prioritising counterterrorism and internal security were being diverted to monitor peaceful civic actions.

HURIWA specifically cautioned Senate President Godswill Akpabio against interpreting public opposition to the Senate’s decision as intimidation or confrontation.

According to the group, Nigerians’ demand for real-time electronic transmission of results represents legitimate advocacy for a robust, reform-driven electoral framework that would strengthen INEC’s capacity to conduct credible, transparent and credible elections.

The group argued that the controversial flaws witnessed during the 2023 general election—particularly allegations of result falsification and inconsistent electronic uploads—have not been adequately addressed in the newly passed bill. It described claims that poor telecommunications infrastructure justifies the rejection of real-time transmission as “untenable” and “unconvincing.”

At the centre of the controversy is Section 60 of the amended bill, which governs result transmission.

The Senate rejected a recommendation that would have compelled presiding officers to upload polling unit results to the IReV portal in real time. Instead, lawmakers retained the 2022 provision, which allows results to be electronically transmitted after counting and public announcement at polling units.

Senators who opposed the real-time transmission argued that inconsistent network coverage and logistical challenges could trigger disputes and undermine credibility.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, described the debate as largely semantic, insisting that electronic transmission remains part of the law.

HURIWA, however, rejected this argument, saying Nigerians’ expectations are focused on real-time transparency, not delayed uploads.

Beyond the transmission issue, the Senate approved amendments to the electoral calendar, including reducing the election notice period from 360 to 180 days and shortening deadlines for candidate submissions and nominations.

Penalties for unlawful possession of voters’ cards were increased from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million, while the smart card reader was formally replaced with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The Senate also rejected proposals to allow electronically generated voter identification, such as downloadable voter cards with QR codes, insisting on the continued use of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs). HURIWA described this decision as “primitive” and inconsistent with modern electoral practices, warning that it could perpetuate issues such as multiple voting and voter impersonation.

The group warned lawmakers against pushing Nigeria towards another cycle of disputed elections, insisting that compulsory real-time electronic transmission of results remains the most effective way to guarantee transparency, accountability and public trust in the electoral process.