Senate Rejects Mandatory Electronic Transmission of Election Results
The Nigerian Senate has rejected a proposal seeking to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory, retaining the current framework that leaves such transmission at the discretion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The decision was taken during plenary while considering amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections. Lawmakers voted against an amendment to Clause 60 (3) of the bill, which would have required presiding officers at polling units to electronically transmit results in real time after votes are counted and documented.
With the rejection of the proposal, the existing legal position remains unchanged—INEC is permitted, but not compelled, to transmit election results electronically. The amendment had been championed by advocates of electoral reform who argued it would enhance transparency and reduce the risk of result manipulation.
However, senators opposing the measure raised concerns during deliberations, leading to its eventual defeat. The move has since sparked reactions from political stakeholders and civil society groups, many of whom see mandatory electronic transmission as a key step toward strengthening the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The Senate is expected to continue work on other aspects of the Electoral Act amendment as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.