With the 2027 general elections approaching, the Nigerian Senate’s conditional approval of electronic transmission of results is intensifying pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), raising questions about infrastructure, preparedness, and the credibility of future polls.
After initial hesitation, the Senate on Tuesday adopted an amendment mandating that presiding officers electronically transmit results from polling units to INEC’s IReV portal, contingent on the availability of telecommunication networks. The decision follows public outcry over the upper chamber’s earlier rejection of real-time transmission during the passage of the proposed Electoral Bill 2026.
The amendment, moved by Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) and seconded by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP), replaces Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill. Presiding officers are now required to transmit results electronically after signing and stamping result forms, which must also be countersigned by polling agents where present.
The Senate’s caveat effectively places the onus on INEC to provide a clear pathway to credible elections, as previous regulations by the commission were dismissed by the courts as non-binding. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, however, reassured Nigerians during a mock accreditation exercise ahead of the February 21 Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) elections that the controversy over electronic transmission was premature.
Amupitan emphasised that the exercise aimed to test operational readiness and the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), describing it as a “game changer” for electoral integrity. During the simulation, accreditation took about five seconds per voter, and the system successfully blocked repeat accreditation attempts, preventing double voting. He also noted that the system is designed to automatically upload results to the IReV portal once a signal is detected, with presiding officers able to use personal hotspots in areas with poor network coverage.
Senate Review and Conference Committee
The amended clause allows Form EC8A to serve as the primary source for collation and declaration when electronic transmission fails, limiting the real-time nature of reporting. Senator Monguno described the amendment as a practical balance between innovation and operational realities, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed that the move modernises the electoral system and ensures accountability.
The Senate also expanded its conference committee to 12 members to match the House of Representatives delegation, with Senator Simon Bako Lalong appointed chairman. The panel is tasked with harmonising differences between the two chambers ahead of the bill’s final passage, expected to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent within February.
Implications for Nigeria’s Electoral Process
Experts view the amendment as a step towards modernising Nigeria’s electoral system, providing a legal framework for transparency while retaining flexibility for operational challenges. Observers note that its success will depend on network reliability, adequate training for electoral officers, and careful monitoring of implementation.
Data from the Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) highlight infrastructural challenges: 301 of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas (LGAs) lack reliable internet, while 36 per cent of the national population uses the internet. Without accounting for these gaps, mandatory real-time transmission could lead to delays, disputes, and potential manipulation. PeacePro recommends time-bound uploads, fallback channels, and criminal sanctions for tampering or non-compliance.
Legal experts also warn that human oversight remains critical. Retired INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Prof. Lai Olurode noted that total electronic transfer without human intervention could increase litigation, while retired military captain David Mbamara stressed the need for active citizen participation to safeguard credible elections.
Political Reactions
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticised the Senate’s revised position as a “clever by half” attempt to undermine transparency, urging the adoption of the House of Representatives’ version of the bill. Conversely, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) hailed the Senate’s reversal of controversial provisions as a victory for citizens, crediting public pressure for the outcome and urging vigilance until the law is fully enacted.
The Senate, through spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, dismissed pressure from critics, asserting that lawmaking is guided by democratic principles rather than public sentiment. Adaramodu emphasised that dissenting views are a natural part of democracy, reflecting the diversity of opinions in society.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, the debate over electronic transmission underscores the challenges of balancing technology, infrastructure, and legal safeguards to strengthen the credibility of the country’s electoral process.
