Guild warns Senate stance could fuel mistrust, voter apathy ahead of 2026 polls.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has voiced serious concern over the controversy surrounding the Senate’s position on transmitting election results, warning that it is already breeding doubt and mistrust in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In a statement signed by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, the editors said the Senate’s move to allow electronic transmission without making it mandatory and immediate goes against public expectation and global best practice. They warned that the uncertainty has sparked public outrage and could discourage voter participation.
The Guild noted that while Nigerians and many lawmakers are demanding real-time electronic transmission from polling units, the Senate’s stance represents a missed opportunity to strengthen transparency, accountability and democratic governance.
With the National Assembly reconvening to harmonise positions, the Editors urged lawmakers to approve mandatory and immediate transmission of results to INEC’s central servers and collation centres, stressing that digital elections reduce fraud, disputes and post-election controversies.
The statement added that Nigerians are watching closely and that anything short of mandatory, real-time transmission would fall behind modern electoral standards and weaken confidence in the system.
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