Former Resident Electoral Commissioner of Cross River State, Mike Igini, has warned that weakening the provisions for real-time electronic transmission of election results could lead to many federal MPs losing their seats in 2027.
In a statement, Igini described the Senate's provision requiring real-time broadcasts as “institutional self-harm”, arguing that legislators who fail to close election loopholes may later fall victim to the same loopholes.
He said, “As the National Assembly convenes to sort out the differing versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill… I urge honorable and distinguished senators to draw salutary lessons from the misfortune that befell their predecessors.”
Igini said previous legislatures failed to address weaknesses in the electoral system, which allowed manipulation during the tallying stages.
“Such loopholes were exploited to overturn the polling-unit results… making them victims of the very loopholes they had refused to fix,” he said.
He warned that MPs who have lost party support ahead of the 2027 elections could struggle to convert voter support into victories if polling unit results are not transmitted securely.
“The 10th Assembly now stands dangerously close to repeating this regrettable pattern,” he said.
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High turnover indicates electoral weaknesses
Igini cited turnover data from previous National Assemblies to support his argument.
In the Senate, only 23 out of 109 members returned after the 2007–2011 cycle, representing a 79 percent turnover. Subsequent assemblies recorded turnover rates of 67 percent, 64 percent and 59 percent.
He said the current Senate has again recorded rapid turnover, with only 25 returning members and 84 new entrants – a 77 percent turnover rate.
The House of Representatives shows a similar pattern. The sixth House recorded a turnover of 78 per cent, while the current House saw only 109 returning members and 251 new MLAs, representing 70 per cent turnover.
Igini said instability undermines legislative continuity, oversight and accountability.
He said, “This chronic instability leads to institutional amnesia… weakens legislative oversight, and eliminates consistency in lawmaking.”
Real-time broadcasting is essential for election integrity
Igini stressed that real-time transmission directly from polling units to INEC's results viewing portal is vital for credible elections.
“Publicly viewable consequences serve as a deterrent and will make such tampering visible and actionable,” he said.
He dismissed network limitations as an excuse, citing surveys by INEC and the Nigerian Communications Commission showing over 97 percent network coverage ahead of the 2023 elections.
He said INEC successfully disseminated results in over 100 off-cycle elections before the last general election.
Warning against weakening election security measures
Igini warned that qualified electronic transmission with exceptions could open the door to manipulation.
He said such provisions could allow collusion between political actors, compilation officials and network providers to disrupt broadcasts on election day.
He urged lawmakers to reinstate mandatory real-time broadcasting and called on the judiciary to maintain election safeguards.
“Let prudence prevail over expediency, convenience and party loyalty, lest history repeat its sad verdict on yet another assembly,” he said.
