Manual Backup Clause Sparks Fresh Election Integrity Concerns
Reform or Regression?
AN amendment to Clause 60 of the Electoral Act by the Senate has reopened debate about the balance between technological reform and electoral credibility in Nigeria.
The revised clause mandates electronic transmission of polling unit results to INEC’s IREV portal. The reform appears aligned with growing demands for real-time transparency following controversies in previous election cycles.
Yet the amendment also stipulates that where electronic transmission fails due to technical issues, the manually completed Form EC8A shall serve as the primary basis for result collation.
For reform advocates, this provision represents a potential vulnerability.
The Protesters’ Argument
Outside the National Assembly, demonstrators have rejected what they describe as a “dual-track” system.
Their demand is straightforward: any polling unit unable to electronically transmit results should have its votes cancelled and a rerun conducted promptly.
The rationale is rooted in precedent. In past elections, disputes have frequently arisen over discrepancies between polling unit tallies and aggregated results at collation centres. Critics argue that manual documentation, while legally valid, is more susceptible to interference.
They fear that once manual sheets assume primacy, the electronic requirement risks becoming symbolic rather than decisive.
Technology, Reality and Electoral Logistics
However, election administrators face complex logistical realities. Nigeria’s vast terrain includes communities with limited telecommunications infrastructure. Mandating strict electronic-only validation could lead to widespread cancellations in remote areas, potentially disenfranchising voters.
Legal analysts note that the fallback clause may have been designed to prevent systemic paralysis in the event of technological breakdown.
The debate therefore centres not on whether backups are necessary, but on whether sufficient safeguards exist to prevent abuse.
Financial Commitments and Connectivity Solutions
The issue also intersects with public finance. With INEC’s 2026 budget reportedly projected at over ₦1 trillion, stakeholders argue that connectivity gaps should be proactively addressed.
Experts suggest that satellite internet services, including low-earth orbit providers, could supplement terrestrial networks during elections. Such partnerships, however, would require early planning, procurement transparency and cybersecurity safeguards.
Beyond infrastructure, experts emphasise that public trust depends on transparency in collation processes, timely uploads to public portals, and independent monitoring by observers.
The Broader Democratic Question
The amendment arrives at a sensitive moment for Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Electoral credibility has become central to political stability and investor confidence.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Clause 60 underscores a deeper tension: efficiency versus integrity, flexibility versus certainty.
While lawmakers frame the amendment as strengthening legal clarity, its implementation will determine whether it enhances confidence or revives scepticism.
In electoral governance, perception can be as powerful as procedure. How INEC operationalises the revised clause — and whether safeguards are visibly enforced — may prove decisive in shaping public trust in the next electoral cycle.
