By AnchorNews Political Desk

Abuja - What began as a routine legislative harmonisation has evolved into a defining national debate, as disagreement between the Senate and the House of Representatives over real-time electronic transmission of election results now rests before a joint Conference Committee of the National Assembly of Nigeria.

At the centre of the controversy is Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, a provision widely regarded as critical to the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The House of Representatives had earlier passed a version of the amendment mandating direct, real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s IReV portal. The Senate, however, removed the explicit reference to “real-time,” adopting a model that allows both manual and electronic transmission while citing concerns about possible network failures in certain terrains.

The Senate’s decision triggered protests in Abuja and strong reactions from civil society organisations and labour unions, who argue that flexibility without clarity risks weakening electoral transparency. The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre warned that removing mandatory real-time transmission introduces ambiguity into the legal framework and could reopen avenues for manipulation during collation. The Nigeria Labour Congress also signalled the possibility of protests should the final law fail to guarantee robust safeguards.

To resolve the differences, both chambers constituted 12-member Conference Committees to harmonise their versions before forwarding a final draft to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent. Political observers note that the committee now faces mounting pressure to craft a compromise that balances operational practicality with public confidence.

Sources within the Independent National Electoral Commission indicate that while the Commission will implement whichever framework is enacted, clarity in the law is essential to avoid conflicting interpretations. Electoral experts caution that vague drafting often becomes the focal point of post-election litigation, particularly where disputes arise over discrepancies between manual and electronic results.

Constitutional lawyers further observe that while dual transmission models are not inherently unlawful, failure to clearly establish hierarchy between manual and electronic outcomes could create legal uncertainty. With the Constitution vesting INEC with the authority to organise and supervise elections, analysts stress that the amended Act must provide clear direction to safeguard the integrity of the process.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the debate over Clause 60(3) has moved beyond legislative procedure. It has become a broader test of transparency, institutional credibility and public trust. Whether the Conference Committee produces a harmonised bill that reassures citizens or deepens scepticism may significantly shape the tone of the next electoral cycle.