Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Barely 24 hours after the controversial Amended Electoral Act 2026 was passed by the National Assembly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday signed the document into law.
The development comes just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The signing took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance. The National Assembly had passed the bill on Tuesday.
The amendment has reignited debate over the electronic transmission of election results.
Civil society groups and some opposition figures have long advocated real-time transmission of results from polling units to INEC’s central server, arguing that it would curb manipulation and strengthen electoral credibility.
Protesters last week disrupted activities at the National Assembly complex, demanding live transmission of results. They cited alleged lapses during the 2023 elections, when INEC’s Results Viewing Portal experienced technical glitches, sparking widespread allegations of rigging.
While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) supports the adoption of technology in the electoral process, some stakeholders argue that areas with poor telecommunications infrastructure require a phased or hybrid approach, allowing manual collation where electronic systems fail.
The 2027 general elections are scheduled to hold on February 20 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and March 6 for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.
