Senate Approves Electronic Transmission of Election Results

In a major win for electoral transparency and public accountability, the Senate has bowed to intense public pressure and passed a revised Electoral Act Amendment Bill mandating the electronic transmission of election results directly from polling units.

Under the newly approved provision, Presiding Officers are required to electronically transmit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV) after completing, signing and stamping Form EC8A at the polling unit. The form must also be countersigned by candidates or their polling agents where available, before transmission.

The amendment, however, allows for an exception in cases where electronic transmission is rendered impossible due to communication or technical challenges. In such situations, the signed physical copy of Form EC8A will serve as the primary document for the collation and declaration of results.

The Senate’s decision follows widespread public scrutiny, civic agitation and protests ahead of an emergency plenary session convened to address concerns over the earlier version of the bill, which had controversially omitted a mandatory electronic transmission clause.

Observers say the revised bill represents a significant step toward restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and strengthening the credibility of future elections, as the nation continues to demand more transparent and technology-driven democratic practices.