The Senate on Tuesday approved the electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), while retaining manual collation as a fallback in cases of technical or network failure. The decision reversed an earlier vote that removed provisions for electronic transmission from the Electoral Act amendment. Under the revised provision, electronic transmission is recognised as the primary method, but not mandatory, with manually completed Form EC8A to be used where technology fails. Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would sign the amended bill into law before the end of February.
The reversal followed a motion by Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno during an emergency plenary session, which was seconded by Minority Leader Abba Moro and overwhelmingly adopted through a voice vote. Akpabio subsequently constituted a 12-member conference committee, chaired by Senator Simon Bako Lalong, to harmonise differences between the Senate and House of Representatives versions of the bill. The emergency session came amid nationwide protests and backlash over the earlier removal of mandatory real-time electronic transmission.
The amendment has sparked mixed reactions among legal experts and civil society groups. While some lawyers described the hybrid system as a necessary safeguard against technological failure, others warned that allowing manual transmission could create loopholes for manipulation. Senior advocates including Abdul Balogun and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu argued that Nigeria should fully embrace digital processes to enhance transparency, whereas constitutional lawyer Igene Amos urged caution, citing infrastructural limitations and the need to preserve INEC’s operational discretion.
Civil society organisations such as Yiaga Africa, CISLAC, Transition Monitoring Group, and CDD West Africa criticised the Senate’s decision, describing it as a setback for electoral integrity. They argued that removing the “real-time” requirement weakens transparency and could open the door to electoral fraud. Protests at the National Assembly, led by opposition figures including Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi, entered their second day, with demonstrators demanding mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results.
Regional groups also weighed in on the debate. The Arewa Consultative Forum backed electronic transmission but supported the Senate’s decision to retain manual collation due to network challenges in parts of the country. In contrast, the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum insisted on mandatory real-time transmission, warning that any dilution of the provision undermines democracy and public trust. The Northern Elders Forum said it would issue a formal position after internal deliberations.
