The Senate has approved the electronic transmission of election results from polling units, marking a significant shift in its earlier position on electoral reforms.
The decision followed a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, which sought to rescind the chamber’s previous rejection of real-time electronic transmission of results. Last Wednesday, the Senate had retained provisions of the Electoral Act, 2023, a move that effectively restricted the use of electronic transmission.
With the adoption of the new proposal, the upper legislative chamber passed an amended Clause 60(3), empowering presiding officers at polling units to electronically transmit election results after Form EC8A has been duly completed and signed.
Under the approved amendment, electronic transmission of results will be permissible where the necessary technology is available and functional. However, in cases where electronic transmission fails or becomes impracticable, the manually completed and signed Form EC8A will serve as the primary and authoritative record of the polling unit results.
The consideration and passage of the clause sparked debate on the Senate floor. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe initially called for a division to determine the Senate’s position but later withdrew the request, allowing the amendment to pass without a formal vote.
The Senate’s resolution is expected to have far-reaching implications for the credibility, transparency and integrity of future elections, as stakeholders continue to push for reforms that strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
