Electoral Act: Rowdy session as Senate okays conditional e-transmission of results
Electoral Act: Rowdy Session as Senate Approves Conditional E-Transmission of Results
February 11, 2026 | Abuja
Proceedings in the Senate turned rowdy on Tuesday as lawmakers rescinded an earlier decision and re-amended provisions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to accommodate electronic transmission of election results — but without making real-time upload mandatory.
The tension followed the chamber’s decision to revisit Clause 60(3), days after it rejected a proposal seeking to compel real-time electronic transmission of results directly from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
After hours of debate, the Senate adopted a revised Clause 60(3), mandating electronic transmission of results only after Form EC8A (the polling unit result sheet) has been signed and stamped. However, the amendment provides that where electronic transmission fails due to network challenges, the manually signed result sheet will remain the primary basis for collation and declaration.
Notably, the clause stops short of requiring real-time transmission.
What the Amendment Provides
The revised Clause 60(3) states:
“Results shall be transmitted electronically from each polling unit to the IReV after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and party agents who are available at the polling unit.
Provided that where electronic transmission of results fails as a result of communication failure, the result contained in Form EC8A, signed by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by polling agents shall, in such a case, be the primary source for collation and declaration of results.”
Monguno Moves to Rescind Earlier Decision
The controversy began during consideration of the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting. At item 148, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno raised a point of order under Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, seeking to rescind the chamber’s earlier rejection of electronic transmission.
He said the move was prompted by public reaction and the need to align the law with citizens’ expectations.
“This amendment is to bring our laws in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people,” Monguno said.
The motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and supported by Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), who stressed that electoral legislation must receive the highest level of scrutiny because of its impact on democracy and stability.
Heated Exchanges as Abaribe Challenges Procedure
The debate became contentious when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe invoked Order 72, arguing that the Senate could not revisit the clause in the manner proposed and calling for an individual vote.
His intervention triggered loud exchanges across the chamber, with lawmakers disputing the procedure and warning about the precedent of overturning previously concluded decisions.
For about 10 minutes, proceedings were stalled as Senate President Godswill Akpabio repeatedly called for order.
When calm was restored, Abaribe withdrew his motion, reportedly acknowledging the numerical strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which holds 80 seats in the chamber, compared to the PDP’s 21 and smaller numbers for other parties.
Conference Committee Set Up
At the close of plenary, the Senate adopted the amended Votes and Proceedings and constituted a 12-member Conference Committee to harmonise its version of the bill with that of the House of Representatives.
Senator Simon Lalong will chair the committee, which has been directed to conclude its work within one week to enable President Bola Tinubu assent to the bill before the end of the month.
“This is a matter of urgency,” Akpabio said. “If you conclude within one week, the President should be able to sign the bill into law within the month.”
Background and Public Reaction
The Senate had earlier rejected a proposal mandating real-time electronic transmission, opting instead to retain provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act that allow INEC to determine the mode of transmission.
That decision sparked protests by civil society groups and opposition figures who argued that removing the “real-time” requirement could weaken electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Senate leadership maintains that electronic transmission was never rejected outright, critics argue that the absence of a real-time requirement leaves room for manipulation.
Amaechi Joins Protest
Meanwhile, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi joined protesters at the National Assembly, accompanied by his son, a medical doctor. Amaechi said he brought his son to provide medical assistance if needed.
“There are those who say we politicians want protest but our children are overseas. Here is my first son,” he said.
Amaechi accused his former party, the APC, of opposing real-time transmission out of fear of losing elections and urged opposition parties to sustain pressure.
ACF Raises Alarm
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also expressed concern over alleged alterations to the Electoral Act after passage, describing such actions as dangerous to democratic governance.
ACF spokesperson Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba warned that any tampering with legislation after passage undermines the integrity of the lawmaking process.
“We are practising a democracy, warts and all, and the decisions of the National Assembly must be treated as sacrosanct,” he said.
ADC Claims Victory for Public Pressure
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the Senate’s reversal as a victory driven by sustained public pressure.
In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said coordinated civic action compelled lawmakers to reconsider.
“This outcome is not merely a legislative U-turn, it is a testament to the resilience and rising political consciousness of Nigerians,” he said.
However, the party urged citizens to remain vigilant until the bill is fully passed and signed into law.