#FixPolitics Africa has criticised the decision of the National Assembly of Nigeria to weaken provisions on the electronic transmission of election results and questioned the swift assent by the President
Civic advocacy group, #FixPolitics Africa, has raised the alarm over what it described as a growing democratic crisis following the passage and signing of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, warning that the dilution of key electoral reforms threatens public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded press statement by the Executive Director Anthony Ubani and titled “Ultimate Sovereignty Resides with Citizens,” the group criticised the decision of the National Assembly of Nigeria to weaken provisions on the electronic transmission of election results, despite sustained public pressure for mandatory real-time transmission from polling units.
“Despite widespread public demand for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results, a reform seen as essential to credible elections, the National Assembly’s conference committee adopted a weaker version of the law that allows manual collation to override electronic transmission when technology fails,” the statement said.
FixPolitics noted that the House of Representatives had initially adopted a stronger position in favour of compulsory electronic transmission but later reversed itself to align with the Senate’s compromise position.
According to the group, this outcome runs contrary to the “clear and consistent calls from citizens, labour unions, professional groups and civil society organisations for real and unqualified transparency.”
“Pro-democracy activists have maintained that results must be transmitted in real time from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission portal to reduce manipulation and increase public trust,” the statement added.
The organisation also condemned the treatment of protesters who took to the streets to demand electoral transparency, describing it as a troubling assault on civic rights.
“Tragically, peaceful protests demanding these democratic safeguards were met with tear gas and force by the Nigeria Police Force at the National Assembly,” FixPolitics stated.
It further criticised the speed with which the amended Electoral Act was transmitted to and signed by the President, warning that the sequence of events sends a dangerous signal about the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
“This sequence of developments—the dilution of key reforms, the suppression of peaceful demonstration, and the swift executive approval of the law—is more than a disregard for citizens’ voices. It is a dangerous signal that democratic process and transparency are being negotiated away,” the group said.
FixPolitics cautioned that failure to guarantee mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results, which it described as “one of the most basic guarantees of election transparency,” would fuel suspicion and anxiety ahead of the 2027 polls.
“It weakens confidence in the electoral framework and sends the wrong message about the commitment of our democratic institutions to free, fair and transparent elections,” the statement noted.
The group warned political leaders against governing without regard for public accountability.
“When those elected to serve the people begin to act like kings and emperors, issuing opaque decisions with little regard for public demands, they open the doors and windows of distrust and instability in the political system,” it said.
FixPolitics stressed that citizens retain the ultimate power in a democracy and are entitled to defend their rights through lawful means.
“We remind this government and legislature that power belongs to the people and can be taken back by the people. Any actions citizens choose to take in defence of their right to credible elections, including peaceful mobilisation, legal action, and sustained public pressure, will not be illegitimate,” the statement declared.
The group concluded with a renewed call on all arms of government to respect the will of the people, uphold transparency as the foundation of democratic legitimacy, and engage citizens sincerely in strengthening—not weakening—electoral integrity.
“Nigeria’s democracy thrives not because people fear instability, but because leaders respect accountability. Democracy is not preserved by the silence of the people, but by the responsiveness of their leaders,” FixPolitics said, adding that “it is not too late to change course and do the right thing for Nigeria, Nigerians and democracy.”
