CHRICED Condemns Tinubu’s Swift Assent to Electoral Act Amendment, Warns of Setback to Reforms

CHRICED Condemns Tinubu’s Swift Assent to Electoral Act Amendment, Warns of Setback to Reforms


The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has condemned the swift assent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, describing the move as hasty, undemocratic and a setback to Nigeria’s electoral reforms.

In a statement issued on February 19, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, the organisation criticised the President for signing the bill into law less than 24 hours after its passage by the National Assembly.

CHRICED said the speed of the assent, despite what it described as heated objections in both chambers of the legislature, raised concerns about transparency, democratic consultation and respect for public opinion.

At the centre of the controversy is Clause 60(3) of the amended Act, which permits manual transmission of election results in cases of “network challenges” or “unforeseen circumstances.”

The civil society group argued that the provision undermines public confidence and weakens safeguards designed to prevent electoral manipulation.

For months, according to CHRICED, civil society organisations, opposition lawmakers and millions of Nigerians had demanded mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results to enhance transparency and reduce post-election disputes.

The group faulted President Tinubu’s position that election credibility depends more on human management than on real-time electronic transmission, insisting that Nigerians have overwhelmingly rejected manual transmission of results.

CHRICED also referenced statements by the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, which it said affirmed the country’s capacity for real-time electronic transmission.

It further noted that the Transition Monitoring Group successfully deployed Parallel Vote Tabulation during the 2015 presidential election at minimal cost, arguing that claims of inadequate network coverage are outdated.
Major telecom operators, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and 9mobile, were also cited as dismissing concerns about insufficient network coverage.

The group questioned the rationale for allowing manual transmission despite what it described as over ₦300 billion already spent on electoral technology and a proposed ₦873.78 billion budget for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

CHRICED described the amendment as a direct indictment of INEC’s technological investments, asking how “internet glitches” could justify reverting to manual processes despite significant spending on digital infrastructure.

The organisation also criticised the 10th National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging that it has acted as a rubber-stamp legislature.

It expressed concern that while the amendment was swiftly passed and signed, other critical reforms — including comprehensive electoral offences legislation, constitutional amendments on devolution of powers and key anti-corruption measures — remain pending.

CHRICED urged the National Assembly to urgently review Clause 60(3) and make electronic transmission of results mandatory. It also called on INEC to publicly clarify its technological capacity and justify its investments.

The group further encouraged civil society organisations, professional bodies, youth groups and the media to intensify advocacy for transparent electoral reforms. It advised Nigerians to hold lawmakers accountable, including through lawful recall processes where necessary.

Finally, CHRICED called for constitutional amendments to review the President’s exclusive power to appoint INEC commissioners, arguing that greater institutional independence is essential for electoral credibility.
“Democracy thrives not on speed, but on legitimacy. Not on executive haste, but on public trust,” the statement concluded, reaffirming CHRICED’s commitment to defending electoral integrity and the sanctity of the ballot.