The Senate on Tuesday approved electronic transmission of election results from polling units, marking a significant shift in its earlier position amid sustained public pressure and nationwide debate over electoral reforms.
The decision followed the adoption of an amended Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, which allows presiding officers to electronically transmit polling unit results after Form EC8A has been duly completed and signed.
The new position came after a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, seeking to rescind the chamber’s earlier decision that effectively limited electronic transmission by retaining provisions of the Electoral Act 2023.
Under the amended clause, electronic transmission of results is now recognised as the primary method, provided the technology is available and functional. However, where electronic transmission fails or becomes impossible due to technical challenges, the signed Form EC8A will serve as the legally valid backup and primary source of the results.
The amendment represents a compromise position, balancing demands for mandatory electronic transmission with concerns about network coverage, infrastructure gaps and potential technical failures in some parts of the country.
Debate accompanied the passage of the clause on the Senate floor. Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, initially called for a division to determine lawmakers’ positions individually, but later withdrew the request, allowing the chamber to proceed with a voice vote.
The approval comes amid intense scrutiny of the National Assembly’s handling of electoral reforms, particularly ahead of the 2027 general election. Civil society groups, opposition parties and election observers have consistently pushed for electronic transmission as a safeguard against manipulation of results and to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
With the Senate’s adoption of the amended Clause 60(3), attention now shifts to the harmonisation process with the House of Representatives and the eventual transmission of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill to the President for assent.
