Nigeria: President Tinubu signs controversial election law despite ‘transparency’ fearsA leading Nigerian rights group has condemned the “lightning speed” with which President Bola Tinubu signed a new electoral law, warning it could pave the way for vote manipulation in the 2027 general elections.The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) said the move to approve the Electoral Act 2026 just 24 hours after it passed parliament was a “direct indictment” of the country’s democratic process.At the heart of the row is a contentious provision—Clause 60(3)—which allows for the manual transmission of election results if there are “network challenges.”The Tech vs. Manual DebateFor years, Nigerian civil society and opposition parties have campaigned for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results to prevent the “doctoring” of figures at local collation centres.While the government argues that technology cannot be the sole guarantor of credibility, critics point to the massive investment in digital infrastructure:Cost of Technology: Over ₦300bn ($185m) has already been spent on electoral tech.Proposed 2027 Budget: An estimated ₦873bn is earmarked for the next general election.Telecoms Capacity: Major providers, including MTN and Airtel, have previously dismissed claims that network coverage is insufficient for electronic transmission.”If billions are being spent on digital infrastructure, how can ‘internet glitches’ still justify a return to a manual process vulnerable to manipulation?” the group asked in a statement.A ‘Rubber-Stamp’ Parliament?The speed of the assent has drawn comparisons to the administration’s abrupt change of the national anthem last year, which was also pushed through with minimal public consultation.CHRICED described the current National Assembly as a “rubber-stamp legislature,” accusing lawmakers of prioritizing political interests over constitutional reforms that would make the electoral umpire, INEC, more independent.
Feature The New Act (2026) Civil Society DemandResult Transmission Manual allowed for “unforeseen circumstances” Mandatory real-time electronic uploadTransparency High level of executive discretion Full public digital audit trailPublic Input Signed 24 hours after legislative passage
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