Senate Retains Manual Transmission Clause in Electoral Act Amendment After Heated Debate
The Nigerian Senate has voted 55–15 to retain the manual transmission provision in Clause 60 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, preserving a fallback option for election result collation where electronic transmission fails.
The decision followed a tense debate on the floor of the Red Chamber, sparked by opposition from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South), who moved to delete the manual backup clause and enforce stricter reliance on electronic transmission of results.
Under the retained provision, presiding officers are mandated to electronically transmit polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV). However, in situations where network or communication challenges prevent successful electronic upload, the manually completed and duly signed Form EC8A — endorsed by the presiding officer and party agents where available — will serve as the basis for collation and declaration of results.
The clause effectively maintains electronic transmission as the preferred method while allowing manual documentation as a safeguard against technical disruptions, mirroring key aspects of the existing Electoral Act 2022 framework.
The Senate subsequently passed the broader Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Amendment Bill 2026 during Tuesday’s plenary. Similar debates have also surfaced in the House of Representatives, where some opposition lawmakers reportedly staged a walkout over related provisions.
The bill will now proceed to harmonization between both chambers before being transmitted for presidential assent, as part of legislative preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While critics warn that retaining manual transmission could create loopholes for manipulation, supporters argue that the measure reflects Nigeria’s infrastructural realities and provides a necessary contingency in areas with poor network coverage.
