A former presidential candidate and political commentator, Chief Peter Ameh, has criticized the Nigerian Senate’s recent amendment to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, describing it as inadequate and potentially detrimental to electoral integrity.
The revised clause permits the electronic transmission of election results from polling units, provided the system does not fail. However, Ameh argues that the conditional wording introduces ambiguity and leaves room for manipulation.
In a statement issued on Monday, Ameh said the amendment amounts to “cosmetic tinkering” rather than substantive reform. According to him, the inclusion of a caveat tied to system failure creates what he described as a loophole that could be exploited during the collation of results.
He expressed concern that the provision could allow authorities to revert to manual processes in the event of alleged technical glitches, a development he believes may undermine public confidence in future elections, including the 2027 general elections.
“The law appears to have changed, but in practice, it preserves the same vulnerabilities that have long troubled our electoral process,” Ameh said.
He maintained that many Nigerians have called for mandatory, real-time electronic transmission of results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing (IREV) portal without conditions. The current amendment, he argued, falls short of that expectation and may weaken efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in elections.
Ameh further called on civil society organizations, the media, and international observers to scrutinize the amendment and advocate for stronger electoral safeguards. He emphasized the importance of reforms that enhance credibility, transparency, and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The Senate has yet to issue a detailed public response to the concerns raised regarding the revised clause.
Signed:
Chief Peter Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria
February 10, 2026
