CSOs Urge INEC to Release 2027 Election Timetable, Demand Mandatory Real-Time Transmission of Results
By Raphael Ekpang
A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately issue the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election, warning that delays in concluding ongoing electoral amendments could create legal uncertainty and threaten the credibility of the polls.
This call was made on Monday, February 9, during a world press conference held in Abuja by a coalition of civil societies organisations such as; Centre for Media & Society, The Kukah Center, International Press Centre, ELECT HER, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa, Yiaga Africa and other partners.
Briefing the press, Mr. Jake Epelle representing TAF Africa said the Electoral Act 2022 remains operative until formally amended, stressing that INEC is legally obligated under Section 28(1) to issue a Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the election date.
According to the coalition, applying INEC’s established framework of holding general elections on the third Saturday of February places the 2027 election on February 20, 2027, requiring the issuance of notice by February 24, 2026.
“The inconclusive status of the Electoral Amendment Bill does not suspend INEC’s statutory responsibilities,” the statement said, urging the Commission to act without further delay in order to provide certainty for political parties, candidates, and electoral stakeholders.
Confusion Over Senate Amendments
The coalition noted that public debate has been clouded by conflicting interpretations of the Senate’s position on electronic transmission of results, with narratives ranging from full approval of real-time transmission to the substitution of the word “transmit” with “transfer” and removal of the “real-time” requirement.
The groups warned that ambiguity in legislation of such national importance could undermine preparations for the 2027 elections.
Call for Emergency Senate Session
The organisations urged the Senate to convene an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to clarify all disputed provisions and explicitly adopt mandatory real-time electronic transmission and collation of election results.
Key Recommendations
The coalition also advanced recommendations to the Conference Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, including: Adoption of mandatory, technology-neutral real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to a public portal;
Introduction of downloadable digital voter identification to address the disenfranchisement caused by millions of uncollected PVCs;
Retention of existing electoral timelines to reduce legal and operational risks;
Expansion of the category of persons who can trigger INEC’s result review process beyond only INEC officials, to include parties, candidates, observers, and accredited agents.
Demand for Swift Conclusion
The coalition called on the National Assembly to conclude the amendment process expeditiously and transmit the final bill to the President within two weeks.
They urged Nigerians to demand accountability from lawmakers and resist any attempt to weaken provisions critical to transparent, credible, and inclusive elections.
Centre for Media & Society, National Press Centre, ELECTA, Nigerian Women Prosperity Initiative, Camp Africa, Niger Africa and other partners.
