The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has issued a forceful declaration against any move to undermine the electronic transmission of election results ahead of the 2027 general elections, labeling the system an indispensable safeguard against electoral fraud.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the coalition expressed deep concern over what it described as increasing efforts by certain political actors to weaken or halt the full implementation of electronic result collation.
The CNG argued that Nigeria’s protracted electoral challenges primarily originate from the result collation and counting stages, where outcomes are allegedly altered against voters’ intent. It asserted that electronic transmission is the critical solution to seal this “criminal space.”
“Electronic transmission ensures that once election results are sent from the polling units, they cannot be tampered with by desperate politicians, corrupt officials, or shadowy interests during manual handling,” the statement read. “It preserves the sanctity of the ballot, sustains public confidence, and promotes national stability.”
The group singled out recent remarks and legislative moves linked to the Senate President and some National Assembly factions, condemning such actions as “dangerous, retrogressive, and anti-democratic.”
“Any resistance to this reform can only signify an aversion to transparency,” the CNG stated. “It is disgraceful that while democracies globally are adopting technology for transparency, some high officials in Nigeria are contemplating a return to opaque, antiquated practices.”
The coalition warned that perpetuating flawed elections risks a collapse of public trust, escalating post-election violence, and a crisis of governmental legitimacy.
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stand firm in implementing the electronic transmission system without compromise and urged the National Assembly to reject any legislation that would reduce electoral transparency.
“Those opposed to e-transmission are vested in the old rigging system. They fear a system where every vote counts and cannot be manipulated,” the statement added.
The CNG called on civil society, youth groups, and the media to heighten advocacy and vigilance. It vowed to resist any rollback of electoral reforms, declaring that nothing short of credible, transparent, and technology-driven elections in 2027 would be acceptable to Nigerians.
“The era of electoral darkness is over. The era of transparency must prevail,” the coalition concluded.
