Electoral Reforms: Senate Pushes INEC to Defend Election Results
The Nigerian Senate has intensified calls for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take full responsibility for defending election results and upholding the integrity of its processes, as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral reforms and restore citizens’ confidence in the democratic system.
During Tuesday’s plenary session in Abuja, lawmakers debated a motion titled “The Need for INEC to Defend Its Conduct and Declared Results of Elections.” The motion, sponsored by Senator Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South), drew widespread support across party lines as senators lamented the commission’s tendency to withdraw or remain passive during post-election litigations, leaving candidates and political parties to contest results without institutional defence.
Senator Alli, in his lead debate, stressed that INEC’s credibility depends on its ability to stand by the elections it conducts. He argued that the commission, being the primary custodian of electoral data, should not shy away from defending its work whenever results are challenged in court.
“INEC must be bold and transparent enough to defend its own results. When an election is conducted, the commission owes Nigerians a duty to justify its processes and prove that the results reflect the true will of the people,” he said.
Alli pointed out that in several recent elections, INEC’s legal representatives failed to adequately defend the commission’s position, raising concerns about institutional weakness and accountability. He further noted that a credible election management body must not only conduct elections but also protect the integrity of those elections through transparency and legal diligence.
Other senators, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), echoed similar sentiments, arguing that INEC’s silence during post-election disputes undermines its credibility and public trust. They stressed the need for the commission to actively participate in defending its actions, rather than leaving the courts to rely solely on evidence from political parties.
Senators also called for stronger internal reforms within INEC, including the establishment of a dedicated litigation and data-verification department that can respond swiftly to court petitions. They emphasized that with the introduction of technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), the commission now has sufficient digital evidence to back up its declared results—if only it takes ownership of them.
The Senate further resolved that the INEC leadership should appear before the relevant committees of the National Assembly to explain its legal approach to defending election results, especially after the 2023 general elections, which were marred by widespread disputes and credibility concerns.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his closing remarks, commended the motion and assured that the upper chamber would work closely with INEC to ensure that ongoing electoral reform bills strengthen transparency, technological accountability, and legal responsibility.
“We must build an electoral system that inspires trust,” Akpabio said. “INEC cannot continue to conduct elections and then disappear when the integrity of those elections is questioned. Defending the people’s votes is part of its constitutional duty.”
Political analysts and civil society organizations have welcomed the Senate’s stance, describing it as a crucial step toward electoral integrity. Many argue that INEC’s failure to defend its results in the past has contributed to public skepticism and political tension.
Experts also noted that empowering INEC to take a more active role in legal defence would not only enhance its institutional credibility but also reduce the influence of partisan manipulation in post-election adjudication.
As part of the ongoing electoral reform agenda, the Senate is expected to push for amendments to the Electoral Act, compelling INEC to maintain full transparency in its result collation and defence processes. The ultimate goal, lawmakers said, is to create an electoral system that commands national and international respect.
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