Nigeria’s Senate on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, rejecting a proposal to make electronic transmission of election results the sole method for collation.
The decision followed a heated debate during plenary, triggered by a motion from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who pushed for a division on Clause 60(3) of the bill. Abaribe sought the removal of a proviso that allows manual transmission of election results in situations where electronic transmission fails.
The move sparked tension in the chamber as lawmakers engaged in prolonged arguments over the reliability of electronic systems and the implications for electoral transparency.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio conducted a vote after debate on the clause. At the end of the division, 15 opposition senators voted against retaining the proviso permitting manual transmission, while 55 senators supported keeping it in the legislation.
With the majority backing the clause, the Senate rejected the proposal for full electronic-only transmission of results and proceeded to pass the amended Electoral Act bill.
Earlier, the chamber had briefly descended into a rowdy session after disputes arose over procedural rulings and whether Abaribe’s demand for division was valid. The disagreement led to consultations among lawmakers before proceedings resumed.
The amendment bill was reconsidered after lawmakers raised concerns about inconsistencies in the legislation and the timetable for the 2027 general elections announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Lawmakers warned that certain provisions, including the 360-day notice requirement, could clash with the proposed election schedule and potentially affect participation during the Ramadan period.
Following clause-by-clause consideration and voting, the Senate approved the revised bill, retaining the option for manual transmission of election results where electronic transmission is not feasible.