Senate Bows to Pressure, Mandates Electronic Transmission of Election Results

Senate Bows to Pressure, Mandates Electronic Transmission of Election Results

The Nigerian Senate has officially approved the electronic transmission of INEC election results, amending the Electoral Act to modernize the voting process and strengthen election transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The move comes after widespread protests, civil society advocacy, and pressure from political figures, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, demanding real-time digital transmission of poll results to curb electoral fraud.

Under the amended Clause 60 of the Electoral Act, presiding officers are now required to digitally transmit election results from each polling unit directly to the INEC IReV portal immediately after the EC8A result form is signed and stamped. In situations where network connectivity fails, the signed paper EC8A forms will remain the official source for result collation and declaration.

READ ALSO:

• Iran Warns U.S. Against Israeli Pressure as Nuclear Talks Resume
• Lagos Announces Four-Week Partial Closure of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway
• Ido-Ayegunle Killings: Monarch Confirms Arrest of Four Suspects

Experts describe the amendment as a major step toward digital voting transparency, though some critics caution that the manual fallback option could limit the full benefits of real-time election result transmission.

The bill will now be harmonized with the House of Representatives version before being sent to the President for assent, signaling a commitment to credible elections and improving public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.

This legislative update is expected to play a key role in Nigeria 2027 elections, reducing vote manipulation and ensuring that INEC election results are transmitted securely, efficiently, and transparently across the country.

Senate Bows to Pressure, Mandates Electronic Transmission of Election Results