(DDM) – Former electoral officials have renewed warnings that Nigeria’s lawmakers risk losing their seats if result transmission rules weaken before 2027.
DDM says debates over electronic transmission now dominate conversations about the credibility of the next general elections.
Former commissioner Mike Igini openly cautions that any dilution of direct polling-unit uploads could reshape political fortunes.
He argues that many incumbents rely on transparent systems to protect genuine constituency support from interference during collation.
He warns that limiting real-time uploads could recreate conditions that previously enabled result alterations at collation centres.
Igini directs his warning to the National Assembly of Nigeria as it considers amendments affecting electronic transmission.
He believes lawmakers may unintentionally design rules that later work against their own re-election prospects.
He points to historical turnover trends as evidence that many legislators already face fragile political survival.
He explains that party nomination disputes often combine with weak transparency to push out sitting lawmakers.
He notes that incumbents who fall out with governors or party leaders face greater vulnerability during result collation.
He references figures from past assemblies to show that turnover has remained consistently high for two decades.
He states that several senates returned only small fractions of their members in subsequent cycles.
He adds that the Nigerian Senate recently introduced language that observers say may soften mandatory real-time transmission.
He insists that publicly viewable results discourage tampering because citizens and candidates can verify figures immediately.
He argues that visible uploads create digital trails that investigators and courts can later examine.
He says voters have repeatedly demanded transparent uploads to protect their ballots from manipulation.
He also emphasizes that credible systems strengthen institutional memory by allowing capable legislators to retain seats.
He recalls that pilots once succeeded under Independent National Electoral Commission supervision in earlier cycles.
He cites a notable test in Cross River State that demonstrated workable live updates across local governments.
He credits reforms introduced during the tenure of Attahiru Jega for pushing technological experimentation.
He mentions that the exercise occurred during the re-election contest of Liyel Imoke.
He maintains that network coverage across Nigeria can support broader deployment if authorities commit resources.
He warns that collusion among officials and political actors becomes easier when transparency tools weaken.
He urges legislators to remove ambiguous clauses and restore clear legal backing for direct polling-unit uploads.
He calls on courts to defend electoral laws firmly so that democratic safeguards do not collapse.
He concludes that history shows voters reward transparency and punish systems that appear opaque.
He stresses that 2027 preparations should prioritize trust because public confidence ultimately determines electoral legitimacy.
