Key Takeaways
- Yiaga Africa urges INEC to adopt additional transparency measures in election results management
- Electoral Act 2026 mandates electronic transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal
- Results management process still lacks public scrutiny in several areas
As the 2026 Osun State governorship election and the 2027 general elections draw near, transparency in the electoral process has become a pressing concern. Yiaga Africa, a civic organization, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement additional measures to ensure transparency in the electronic transmission and collation of election results.
The organization's Executive Director, Samson Itodo, made this call during the unveiling of a policy brief titled “Securing the Vote through Electronic Transmission and Collation of Election Results.” The brief examined the results management framework established under the Electoral Act 2026 and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2026. Itodo emphasized that while the Electoral Act 2026 makes the electronic transmission of polling unit results to the IReV portal mandatory, significant aspects of the results management process remain hidden from public scrutiny.
One of the major concerns raised by Yiaga Africa is the internal backend validation process that results transmitted from polling units undergo before appearing on the IReV portal. Itodo noted that the electoral commission has yet to publicly explain this procedure, which lacks transparency and accountability. Furthermore, the organization observed that while polling unit results (Form EC8A) are uploaded to the portal, ward (Form EC8B) and local government (Form EC8C) collation results are not published, making it difficult for citizens and stakeholders to independently verify the collation process.
Recommendations for Improvement
To address these concerns, Yiaga Africa has recommended several measures. Firstly, INEC should publish a detailed protocol explaining the journey of election results from polling units to the IReV portal, including the purpose and duration of the backend validation process. Secondly, the commission should make ward and local government collation results available on the IReV portal and publish polling unit accreditation figures alongside Form EC8A images.
By implementing these measures, INEC can rebuild public confidence in the electoral process and ensure the integrity of the elections. As the electoral commission prepares for the upcoming elections, it is essential that it prioritizes transparency and accountability in the management of election results.
Why This Matters
Electoral transparency is crucial for ensuring the legitimacy of democratic processes, and INEC's commitment to transparency will be closely watched in the lead-up to the 2026 Osun State governorship election and the 2027 general elections. By taking steps to address the concerns raised by Yiaga Africa, INEC can help to strengthen Nigeria's democratic institutions and promote a culture of transparency and accountability.