The Red chamber re-amended the Electoral Bill to accommodate the electronic transmission of election results, although with some conditions to guide its implementation
The Senate has approved the electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
It however retained manual collation as a fallback 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 on Tuesday.
The extraordinary sitting came less than one week after the Senate passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, amid growing pressure from civil society organisations, opposition leaders, labour unions, professional bodies, regional leaders and youth groups.
Protesters had taken their grievances to the gates of the National Assembly to demand the retention of real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The amendment was introduced through a motion sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), who said further examination of Clause 60(3) of the bill revealed the need for adjustments to avert disputes and operational challenges during elections.
Under the approved provision, presiding officers at polling units are permitted to transmit results electronically to the IReV portal after Form EC8A has been duly completed, signed and stamped.
However, the amendment does not make electronic transmission mandatory and also excludes real-time upload of results.
It further provides that where electronic transmission is hindered by network or communication challenges, the manually completed EC8A form shall serve as the primary basis for collation and declaration of results.
The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), who noted that electoral laws must balance transparency with the infrastructural realities across the country.
Following brief deliberations, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the amendment to a voice vote, which was overwhelmingly approved.
Meanwhile, the Senate has constituted a 12-member committee to work with the House of Representatives on harmonising the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, which has generated controversy in recent weeks.
Akpabio announced the composition of the committee during an emergency plenary session on Tuesday. Members include Senators Orji Uzor Kalu and Tahir Monguno, among others.
The House of Representatives had earlier constituted its own conference committee on the bill. According to a statement by the House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, the committee is chaired by the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Rep. Adebayo Balogun.
Other members of the House committee are Reps. Fred Agbedi, Sada Soli, Ahmadu Jaha, Iduma Igariwey Enwo, Saidu Musa Abdullahi, and Zainab Gimba.
