The Nigerian Senate has approved the electronic transmission of election results from polling units but retained manual collation as a mandatory backup mechanism in the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026.
The decision was taken during a tense and rowdy plenary session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after a division was called on Clause 60, which governs the transmission and collation of results.
Fifty-five senators voted to retain the proviso allowing manual collation as a fallback when electronic transmission fails, while 15 senators—led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC, Abia South)—opposed the retention of the manual backup clause.
The clause now provides that presiding officers must transmit results electronically in real time to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV), but manual collation shall proceed if the electronic system is unavailable or malfunctions.
The Senate had initially passed the bill but later rescinded that decision and recommitted it to the Committee of the Whole following renewed concerns over transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
Tuesday’s session saw Senator Abaribe demand a division on the clause, reigniting heated debate. Senate President Godswill Akpabio reminded the chamber of Abaribe’s earlier attempt during an emergency plenary the previous week, which was withdrawn amid public criticism.
“People were mocking you on social media,” Akpabio remarked, prompting immediate objections from opposition senators who insisted the matter was properly before the Senate for resolution.
Electronic transmission of results has been one of the most contentious issues in Nigeria’s electoral reform efforts since the 2023 general elections. Civil society organisations, opposition parties, and many citizens have consistently advocated for mandatory, real-time electronic transmission without fallback provisions that could undermine transparency or allow manipulation.
The Senate’s decision to retain a manual backup has sparked fresh debate about the balance between technological advancement and contingency measures in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The bill will now proceed to a conference committee with the House of Representatives to harmonise differences between the two chambers’ versions before final passage and presidential assent.
