The Senate has endorsed the electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Gatekeepers News reports that the upper legislative house also approved manual collation as a backup option in situations where technological challenges occur.
The resolution was reached during Tuesday’s plenary session following a fresh review of a disputed section of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026.
Lawmakers reconsidered clause 60(3) after concerns were raised about its practicality, especially in areas with limited internet connectivity and weak digital infrastructure.
The motion for the amendment was moved by Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno North, who explained that further evaluation of the clause showed the need for modifications that would prevent legal disputes, technical failures, and logistical complications during elections.
He said the revised provision aims to strike a balance between promoting transparency and accommodating the operational realities faced by election officials across Nigeria.
Under the newly approved framework, presiding officers at polling units are permitted to upload results electronically to the IReV portal after Form EC8A has been properly completed, signed, and stamped. However, the amendment does not make electronic transmission compulsory, nor does it require real-time uploading of results.
The revised clause also allows for manual collation where electronic transmission is disrupted due to network failure, communication breakdown, or other technical issues. In such cases, the manually completed EC8A form will serve as the principal document for result collation and final declaration.
The motion was seconded by Abba Moro, Senate minority leader, who argued that electoral laws must be practical and inclusive, taking into account the digital divide between urban and rural communities.
He stressed that while technology enhances transparency, Nigeria must also recognise infrastructural gaps that could hinder seamless electronic transmission nationwide.
After brief deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio subjected the motion to a voice vote, with the majority of senators supporting the amendment.
The approval has sparked mixed reactions across political and civil society groups, with some praising the compromise approach, while others insist that mandatory real-time electronic transmission remains the best way to eliminate result manipulation and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
The senate’s decision is expected to shape the conduct of future elections, particularly as stakeholders continue to debate the most effective methods for ensuring credible, transparent, and dispute-free electoral outcomes in Nigeria.
