Odita Sunday 
Electoral Bill 2026: HURIWA Backs Peaceful Mass Protests Over Senate’s Rejection of Real-Time E-Transmission
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed deep concern over the passage of the Electoral Bill 2026 by the Senate, faulting lawmakers for rejecting a proposed amendment that would have made real-time electronic transmission of election results compulsory.
In a statement issued on Monday, by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, the rights group described the Senate’s decision as “retrogressive,” warning that it could undermine transparency and public confidence in future elections, particularly the 2027 general polls.
HURIWA threw its weight behind ongoing and planned peaceful protests, including the “Occupy National Assembly” demonstration in Abuja, calling for the immediate inclusion of real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units.
The organisation urged security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, not to disrupt the protests, stressing that peaceful assembly is a constitutionally guaranteed right. It also appealed to protesters to remain orderly and law-abiding throughout the demonstrations.
According to HURIWA, the Senate’s refusal to amend Section 60 of the Electoral Act to mandate real-time upload of results preserves what it described as “an old order” that allows room for electoral manipulation and result falsification.
The group cautioned Senate President Godswill Akpabio against interpreting public opposition to the bill as intimidation of the National Assembly, noting that citizens’ demands reflect legitimate advocacy for a stronger and more credible electoral framework.
HURIWA also raised concerns over what it described as an excessive deployment of security personnel including the police, army and civil defence corps around protest venues, questioning why resources meant for counterterrorism operations were being used to monitor peaceful civic actions.
“We warn that under no circumstances should lethal force be used against peaceful protesters,” the group said, adding that authorities must avoid a repeat of past incidents where demonstrations were violently suppressed.
The Senate last Wednesday rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Amendment Bill that sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit polling unit results to the IReV portal in real time. Instead, lawmakers retained the provision in the 2022 Electoral Act, which allows electronic transmission after votes are counted and publicly announced.
HURIWA argued that this decision failed to address flaws observed during previous elections, including the 2023 general election, where delays and inconsistencies in result transmission generated widespread controversy.
The group recalled that the ongoing amendment process followed joint public hearings by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters in 2023, during which stakeholders including INEC, civil society groups and development partners called for reforms to strengthen electoral transparency.
It noted that while the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill introduced changes to election timelines, campaign financing and penalties for electoral offences, the refusal to mandate real-time result transmission remained a major setback.
Among other decisions, the Senate reduced the election notice period from 360 to 180 days, increased fines for unlawful possession of voters’ cards from N500,000 to N5 million, and retained the use of PVCs and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) while rejecting proposals for downloadable digital voter identification.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, had defended the Senate’s position, insisting that electronic transmission remains part of the law. However, HURIWA disagreed, arguing that anything short of real-time transmission falls short of Nigerians’ expectations for electoral reform.
HURIWA warned that retaining the current provisions could fuel voter apathy, prolonged post-election litigation and possible violence, insisting that credible elections depend on transparent, technology-driven result management.
“Free and fair elections are the foundation of democracy,” the group stated, warning lawmakers not to push the country toward electoral instability by refusing to adopt reforms that ensure transparency and accountability.
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