Senator Ireti Kingibe (Labour Party, FCT) has moved to allay public concerns over the ongoing Electoral Act Amendment Bill, insisting that mandatory electronic transmission of election results remains a core component of the proposed reforms.
Her clarification follows criticism from opposition parties after the Senate declined to adopt a specific amendment to Clause 70(3) that would have explicitly mandated real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, Kingibe emphasized that the reform process has been thorough, spanning 2024 and 2025, and involved public hearings, policy retreats, consultations with INEC, and engagement with civil society organisations.
She outlined the three foundational pillars of the reform package:
– Mandatory electronic transmission and real-time upload of results to INEC’s IReV portal
– Formal recognition of the three modes of party primaries (direct, indirect, and consensus)
– Clearly defined electoral timelines to ensure orderly and credible polls
Kingibe noted that the original report was later reviewed by an ad hoc Senate committee, which largely endorsed its content.
“When this report was presented to the Senate, an ad hoc committee was constituted to review it. The committee’s recommendations were largely aligned with the original report. Notably, about 85 percent of senators supported the electronic transmission of election results,” she stated.
Addressing claims that the Senate had abandoned or reversed the reforms, Kingibe highlighted the deliberate strengthening of language on technology in the amendment process.
“While the 2022 Act used the term ‘transfer’ of results, the committees, after careful deliberation, specifically recommended that the commission shall electronically transmit results and upload them to IReV in real time,” she explained, adding that these changes are documented and awaiting harmonisation between the Senate and House of Representatives.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio had earlier clarified that electronic transmission was not rejected outright; rather, the Senate retained the existing provision allowing results to be transmitted “in a manner as prescribed by the commission.”
Kingibe noted that this reflects the ongoing harmonisation stage, where a joint committee is reconciling the two chambers’ versions into a final draft.
She urged Nigerians to remain engaged rather than alarmed, stressing the importance of public input in shaping electoral laws.
“We are your representatives. We are your voice. Your will must shape the laws that govern you,” Kingibe said.
The Electoral Act Amendment Bill remains under consideration, with stakeholders continuing to monitor the harmonisation process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
