Senate Reverses Earlier Decision on Results Transmission

The Senate on Tuesday reversed an earlier decision on electronic transmission of election results, opting for a hybrid approach that allows manual collation where network failures occur. The amendment to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, has stirred debate over the integrity of future elections.

The revised provision empowers presiding officers to electronically transmit results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal after signing Form EC8A. However, where electronic transmission is hindered by network challenges, manually completed forms will serve as the basis for collation. Critics argue that this flexibility could weaken transparency and create loopholes for manipulation.

Proceedings became heated when Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno moved a motion to rescind the earlier clause, citing public concerns and the need for clarity between the terms “transfer” and “transmission.” Although some senators demanded a division for individual voting, Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld a voice vote approving the amendment after procedural disputes.

Following the decision, the Senate reconstituted its conference committee with Senator Simon Lalong as chairman. Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called on opposition parties to resist the amendment, warning that Nigerians expected mandatory real-time electronic transmission rather than a discretionary system.