Senate, House Clash Over Real-Time Results in Electoral Bill
Senate Approves Electoral Act Amendment, Excludes Real-Time Clause
THE controversy surrounding the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 took center stage at the National Assembly yesterday as the Senate passed a revised version of the legislation endorsing electronic transmission of election results—but notably without the contentious “real-time” provision.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio presided over the plenary session, which adopted the Votes and Proceedings of the previous reading of the Bill. The session, marked by heated debates and procedural disputes, followed a modification of Section 60(3). The amendment stipulates that presiding officers must electronically transmit results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IREV) after signing and stamping Form EC8A, countersigned by candidates or polling agents where present.
The clause further provides a fallback mechanism: if electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges, the physical Form EC8A would serve as the primary source for collation and declaration of results.
This position differs from the version earlier passed by the House of Representatives, which mandates real-time transmission of results to the IREV portal, simultaneous with physical collation. Section 60(5) of the House bill also requires presiding officers to transmit the number of accredited voters alongside results to the next level of collation.
Procedural Disputes and Senate Debate
The Senate’s decision emerged following a motion by Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) titled “Motion for Rescission on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026.” Monguno argued that ambiguity surrounding the terms “transfer” and “transmission” had caused public concern and required legislative clarification.
The motion, invoking Senate Standing Orders 1(b) and 52(6), allowed the chamber to rescind its earlier decision on the clause and recommit it for reconsideration. The motion passed via a voice vote, despite loud protests and procedural challenges, particularly from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who initially called for individual voting under Order 72 before withdrawing.
Senator Abba Moro described the adoption of the revised clause as “a victory for democracy,” emphasizing that the motion addressed public concerns about the credibility and transparency of election results.
Protests and Public Pressure
Outside the National Assembly, demonstrators for the second consecutive day called for the inclusion of real-time transmission. Notable among them was former Rivers State Governor and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi. Police maintained strict control, preventing protesters from entering the complex.
ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi commended the Senate’s reconsideration as a result of civic pressure, highlighting coordinated street protests and online campaigns. “It demonstrates that Nigerians can indeed influence legislative processes when united,” he said.
Conference Committee Set to Harmonize Bills
To reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions, a 12-member conference committee has been appointed. Chaired by Senator Simon Bako Lalong, the committee includes members from both chambers, tasked with harmonizing the bills before submission for presidential assent. Akpabio expressed hope that the process would conclude swiftly, allowing the President to sign the amended Electoral Bill within the month.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and legal experts, including NBA ex-president Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), emphasized that the legislation is crucial for credible elections. Agbakoba noted that while the IREV portal was used in the 2023 elections, it lacked legal backing, leaving electronic results non-admissible in election petitions.
Meanwhile, opposition voices, particularly the PDP, warned that allowing manual fallback undermines the push for real-time transmission and risks public distrust. The Tanimu Turaki-led faction urged the conference committee to adopt the House’s version as the harmonized position to safeguard electoral integrity.
Looking Ahead
The debate over the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill underscores ongoing tensions between legislative procedure, technology deployment, and public expectations. While the Senate has endorsed electronic transmission, the exclusion of the real-time clause keeps open concerns about transparency and credibility in future elections, leaving the conference committee with a critical task in the coming days.
