Electronic Poll Results Backed, Manual Collation Remains Safeguard In Senate Bill
Senate Approves Hybrid System for Transmission of Election Results
IN a dramatic session on Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate reversed an earlier decision that had removed electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026. The upper chamber approved electronic transmission from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), while retaining manual collation via Form EC8A as a fallback in case of network or technical failures.
The emergency plenary was convened amid nationwide protests and pressure from civil society organisations (CSOs), opposition parties, and prominent political figures, including Peter Obi and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi. Demonstrations demanded the adoption of mandatory real-time electronic transmission to enhance transparency and credibility in elections.
Senate Motion and Debate
The reversal followed a motion by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (Benue South). Monguno described the amendment as a legislative response to the “wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.”
“This amendment is to bring our laws to make it a replica of the wishes and aspirations of the people,” he said, during a session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The revised Section 60(3) recognises electronic transmission as the primary method for sending results. Manual submission using Form EC8A is only to be used when technological failures prevent online transmission. This correction addresses omissions in the Senate’s earlier version of the bill, which had provoked criticism for weakening transparency safeguards.
Conference Committee Set Up
Following the plenary, Akpabio announced the formation of a 12-member conference committee to reconcile differences between the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the bill. Chaired by Senator Simon Bako Lalong, members include Senators Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Iya Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Jibrin Isah, Ipalibo Banigo, and Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
Akpabio expressed optimism that the committee would conclude work within a week, allowing President Bola Tinubu to sign the amended Electoral Act into law before the end of February.
Reactions From Lawyers
The Senate’s decision has elicited mixed reactions from legal experts.
Abdul Balogun, SAN, criticised the retention of manual transmission, warning it leaves room for result manipulation. “Nigeria should be progressing in terms of the conduct of our elections, not regressing,” he said. Professor Eric Adagbata and Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN) echoed similar concerns, emphasising that hybrid transmission—electronic and manual—could dilute accountability and create loopholes for fraud.
Constitutional lawyer Igene A. Amos, however, argued that Nigeria has not yet reached the level of infrastructure needed for exclusive electronic transmission. He stressed that INEC must uphold its responsibility to prevent manipulation, even with manual fallback.
Civil Society Groups Raise Concerns
Several CSOs, including Yiaga Africa, CISLAC, Transition Monitoring Group, Transparency International, and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa), criticised the Senate’s decision, describing it as a setback for electoral integrity.
Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa said the provisions “signal an electoral setback and weaken the safeguards in the 2022 Electoral Act.” Similarly, Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani of CISLAC warned that the decision “creates conditions for electoral manipulation, fraud, and rigging.” Dr. Gauda Garuba of CDD-West Africa described the removal of “real-time” from the bill as a “coup against Nigerians.”
Political Reactions and Protests
Protests continued into the second day outside the National Assembly, with Rotimi Amaechi and his son joining demonstrators. Amaechi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urged Nigerians to resist Senate attempts to weaken electronic transmission and called on opposition parties to unite.
He argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) fears losing elections if real-time electronic transmission is fully implemented. He also expressed concern over worsening living standards and rising corruption under the Tinubu administration.
Regional Perspectives
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) welcomed the Senate’s hybrid approach, citing limited internet coverage in some northern communities. Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, ACF spokesperson, noted that exclusive electronic transmission could disenfranchise voters in areas with network challenges.
Conversely, the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF) called for mandatory real-time electronic transmission as passed by the House. HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan, leader of Afenifere, emphasised that real-time transmission blocks opportunities for result manipulation, strengthens public trust, and protects votes, particularly in vulnerable communities. The forum also warned against any Senate attempts to undermine democratic processes.
Looking Ahead
The Senate’s approval of both electronic and manual transmission represents a compromise aimed at balancing technological progress with infrastructural realities. However, CSOs, opposition groups, and legal experts remain concerned that manual fallback could allow manipulation, potentially undermining voter confidence.
The 12-member conference committee now has the critical task of harmonising the Senate and House bills. Its decisions will determine whether the amended Electoral Act can achieve credible, transparent, and trustworthy elections ahead of the 2027 polls.
