![Hon. Festus Keyamo SAN arrives MMIA past 11:50 p.m. Feb 23 to lead oversight of Terminal 1 fire. Joined FAAN MD & team actively managing situation. Directed morning inspection Tuesday to guide restoration & confirm safety standards. Reaffirmed focus on passenger safety. Story: [link] #KeyamoMMIA #FireIncident #FAAN](https://fullcliphq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mym-150x150.jpg "MMIA Fire: Keyamo Inspects Lagos Airport After Terminal 1 Blaze Disrupts Flights")
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has called on the National Assembly to approve mandatory and real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to INEC servers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The guild’s statement, co-signed by President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh and issued on February 9, 2026, criticized the Senate’s recent passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Reenactment) Amendment Bill, which removed the phrase “real-time” transmission of results.
The NGE described the Senate’s decision as a “missed opportunity” that contradicts public expectations and undermines electoral credibility. The statement noted that the ongoing controversy has deepened mistrust in the electoral process, fuelled public outrage, and risks discouraging voter participation in future elections.
“At a time when Nigerians are demanding mandatory and immediate transmission of results, and as countries around the world adopt electronic transmission to enhance transparency, the senate’s position leaves much to be desired,” the guild said.
The editors warned that failing to make real-time transmission compulsory would weaken democratic governance and public confidence. They urged lawmakers, as the Senate prepares to harmonise its version with the House of Representatives today Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to ensure the final law explicitly mandates immediate electronic transmission from polling units.
According to the NGE, digitalizing elections through mandatory real-time transmission would improve transparency, efficiency, and accuracy, significantly reduce disputes and controversies, and curb electoral fraud. “Nigerians are watching the national assembly closely,” the statement added, stressing that anything short of mandatory transmission would be out of step with modern electoral practices.
Political Backdrop and Public Outcry
The call follows widespread criticism of the Senate’s February 4 decision to retain discretionary transmission language, allowing INEC to prescribe the method rather than mandating real-time uploads to the IReV portal. The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, led a protest at the National Assembly gate on February 9, demanding the inclusion of real-time transmission to prevent 2023-style glitches.
The Senate has issued clarifications insisting it approved electronic transmission, not rejected it, and adjusted wording to avoid ambiguity. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other leaders maintain the current framework, combined with BVAS accreditation, is sufficient and was successfully used in past polls.
Civil society and election observers argue mandatory real-time transmission would reduce opportunities for result manipulation between polling units and collation centres — a recurring allegation in previous elections. The bill remains inconclusive pending adoption of Votes and Proceedings and harmonisation between chambers. If passed and signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the changes will shape Nigeria’s electoral framework for 2027 and beyond.
