The Senate has reversed its earlier stance on electronic transmission of election results following widespread public outrage and protests by civil society groups.
The reversal came after the red chamber reconvened to scrutinise its votes and proceedings on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
Senate Amends Clause 60(3)
Under the revised Clause 60(3), the Senate now allows electronic transmission of results from each polling unit.
However, the provision is conditional. Electronic transmission will apply only if the system functions properly.
The Senate also stressed that Form EC8A, the physical result sheet, remains the primary and official source of election results.
Background
On Wednesday, February 4, Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that lawmakers did not remove electronic transmission from the law.
He said the chamber preserved the section of the 2022 Electoral Act that makes electronic transmission discretionary for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the Senate simply aimed to clarify its position amid public misunderstanding.
Public Outrage Over the Decision
The Senate’s earlier version of the bill triggered strong backlash.
Civil society organisations and citizens staged protests, accusing lawmakers of undermining electoral transparency by restricting real-time electronic transmission.
As pressure intensified, the Senate reconvened to address public concerns.
Despite the revision, the Senate’s position still contrasts with that of the House of Representatives.
While both chambers now permit electronic transmission, their conditions and interpretations of the provision do not fully align. This divergence means the bill remains unsettled.
Conference Committee Expanded
Meanwhile, the Senate expanded its Conference Committee from the previous number to 12 members.
The move aims to coordinate with the House of Representatives’ committee and expedite the harmonisation of both versions of the bill.
Once harmonised, the final version will be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
What the Change Means
In simple terms, electronic transmission is now permitted, but physical result sheets remain the primary source of election results.
The final outcome will depend on the harmonisation process between both chambers and presidential assent.
