BREAKING: Senate adopts electronic transmission of election results
Electronic transmission of election results has officially received legislative backing as the Nigerian Senate adopted an amended version of Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill during an emergency plenary session held on Tuesday.
The decision followed the Senate’s earlier move to rescind and recommit the contentious provision for reconsideration, amid intense national debate over transparency and credibility in the electoral process. The newly adopted clause mandates presiding officers at polling units to electronically transmit election results, including the total number of accredited voters, to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s IReV portal.
However, the amendment introduces a key caveat. In situations where electronic transmission fails due to network or communication challenges, the manually completed Form EC8A will serve as the primary document for results collation and verification. This provision seeks to balance technological innovation with practical realities, especially in areas with limited connectivity.
Notably, the Senate’s version departs from the stricter House of Representatives draft, which required real-time electronic transmission of results. Instead, the adopted clause permits electronic transmission in accordance with guidelines issued by INEC, granting the electoral body greater discretion in implementation.
In a related move, the Senate also approved a 12-member conference committee to align with the House of Representatives, setting the stage for harmonisation of both chambers’ versions of the bill ahead of final passage.
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The plenary session concluded shortly after the vote, with lawmakers paving the way for the bill to advance to the next legislative stage. The amendment is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the conduct of future elections, particularly around transparency, public trust, and the integrity of result collation.
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- BREAKING: Senate adopts electronic transmission of election results
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