The Senate on Tuesday reversed its earlier position and approved both electronic and manual transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment to the Electoral Act.
Under the new provision, presiding officers are required to electronically transmit polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Results Viewing Portal (IReV). However, where electronic transmission fails, the hard-copy result sheet — Form EC8A — will serve as the primary means of collation.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), during an emergency plenary session in Abuja. The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro.
The amendment affects Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026.
Reading the revised clause before putting it to vote, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated:
“Presiding officers shall electronically transmit the results from the polling units to INEC’s IReV portal and provided that if the electronic transmission fails and it becomes difficult to transmit the results, the Form EC8A will be the primary means of collation.”
Explaining the motion titled “Rescission on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026,” Monguno said the Senate reconsidered its earlier rejection after fresh issues emerged during review of the bill.
He said the amendment was necessary to align the law with public expectations.
“This amendment is to bring our laws in line with the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians,” he said.
The Senate invoked Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) to rescind its earlier decision and recommit the clause to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration before passage.
Rowdy Session
The plenary became rowdy after Akpabio read details of the revised clause, as some lawmakers raised objections over certain wordings.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe called for a division under Order 70 to allow individual voting but later withdrew the request, which could have stalled the amendment.
The majority of senators subsequently voted in favour of the revised clause.
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