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By Goli Innocent
Former Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, has raised the alarm that the controversial proviso on real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results could cost the majority of National Assembly members their seats in 2027.
In a press statement, Igini described the situation as a looming “institutional self-harm” and urged senators and members of the House of Representatives to learn from the misfortunes of their predecessors, many of whom lost elections after ignoring loopholes in the nation’s electoral framework.
“As the National Assembly reconciles divergent versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, particularly regarding mandatory electronic transmission of election results directly from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), I urge Honourable and Distinguished Senators to heed lessons from history,” he said.
Igini argued that previous Assemblies, “for convenience and party loyalty,” failed to address well-documented loopholes that allowed manipulation of polling-unit outcomes, leaving many legislators unable to secure re-election despite strong constituency support.
Drawing on electoral data from 2007 to 2023, he warned that the 10th Assembly (2023–2027) risks repeating this pattern.
Lawmakers not favoured by state governors or party leaders, he said, may find it nearly impossible to convert constituency endorsement into electoral victory if e-transmission remains unsecured.
Historical turnover rates in the Senate illustrate persistent instability:
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- Sixth Senate (2007–2011): 79% turnover
- Seventh Senate: 67%
- Eighth Senate: 64%
- Ninth Senate: 59%
- Current 10th Senate: 77%
The House of Representatives shows similar volatility, with turnover rates ranging from 57% to 78% in past Assemblies, and 70% in the current 10th House.
“This high attrition dissipates public resources on constant induction, weakens legislative oversight, and erodes continuity in law-making,” he said.
Igini stressed that direct electronic transmission from polling units to IReV is essential for democracy and for the political survival of legislators.
“Nigerians insist on real-time results to prevent post-polling alterations at collation centres. Publicly viewable results deter tampering and ensure transparency,” he noted.
Addressing concerns over network coverage, Igini dismissed them as excuses, citing a 2022 INEC-NCC survey showing over 97% coverage nationwide. He recalled successfully piloting real-time e-transmission in Cross River State in 2012 during Governor Liyel Imoke’s re-election.
Igini urged lawmakers to remove the proviso limiting e-transmission and restore the original provision. He also called on the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and safeguard electoral integrity.
“The imperatives are clear. Let wisdom prevail over expediency, convenience and party loyalty, lest history repeats its tragic verdict on another Assembly,” he concluded.
The warning highlights the critical role of e-transmission in securing electoral transparency and the political futures of National Assembly members ahead of the 2027 elections.
