The Senate on Tuesday approved the electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), while retaining manual collation as a fallback option in cases where technology fails.
The decision followed a reconsideration of a contentious provision in the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, during plenary, amid concerns over potential disputes and operational challenges during elections.
The amendment was introduced through a motion sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), who explained that a closer review of Clause 60(3) of the bill revealed the need for adjustments to ensure clarity, reduce litigation, and accommodate Nigeria’s uneven technological infrastructure.
According to Monguno, the revised provision allows presiding officers at polling units to electronically transmit election results to the IReV portal after Form EC8A has been duly completed, signed and stamped.
However, the amendment stops short of making electronic transmission mandatory and does not provide for real-time uploading of results.
Under the approved framework, where electronic transmission is hampered by network outages or other communication challenges, the manually completed and authenticated EC8A form will serve as the primary document for result collation and declaration.
“This approach is designed to balance transparency with practicality,” Monguno told lawmakers, noting that rigidly mandating electronic transmission without reliable nationwide infrastructure could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
The motion was seconded by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), the Senate Minority Leader, who argued that while technology remains vital for enhancing transparency, electoral laws must also reflect the country’s infrastructure realities, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Following brief deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the amendment to a voice vote, with the “ayes” overwhelmingly prevailing.
The Senate’s decision is expected to shape the framework for result transmission ahead of future elections, as debates continue nationwide over the role of technology in strengthening electoral integrity while ensuring inclusiveness and operational reliability.
