ABUJA — Proceedings in the Senate turned tense on Tuesday as lawmakers rescinded and re-amended provisions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, approving electronic transmission of election results but stopping short of making real-time upload mandatory.
The development followed the Senate’s decision to revisit Clause 60(3) of the bill, only days after rejecting a proposal that sought to compel real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
After hours of heated debate, the upper chamber adopted a revised version of Clause 60(3), which mandates electronic transmission of results after the completion, signing and stamping of Form EC8A at polling units. However, the amendment provides that where electronic transmission fails due to network challenges, the manually signed result sheet shall serve as the primary basis for collation and declaration.
Despite approving electronic transmission, the Senate declined to make real-time upload compulsory.
Details of the amendment
The re-amended Clause 60(3) states that results “shall be transmitted electronically from each polling unit to the IReV after the prescribed Form EC8A has been signed and stamped by the presiding officer and party agents who are available at the polling unit.”
It further provides that where electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges, “the result contained in Form EC8A, signed by the presiding officer and/or countersigned by polling agents, shall be the primary source for collation and declaration of results.”
How the controversy began
The rowdy session began when Senate President Godswill Akpabio commenced consideration of the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting.
At item 148, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, raised a point of order under Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, seeking to rescind the chamber’s earlier decision that rejected compulsory electronic transmission.
Monguno said the move was informed by widespread public reaction and the need to align electoral laws with the expectations of Nigerians.
“This amendment is to bring our laws in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people,” he said.
The motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and supported by Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), who stressed that electoral legislation requires the highest level of scrutiny due to its impact on democracy and political stability.
Abaribe challenges procedure
The debate, however, took a dramatic turn when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe invoked Order 72, arguing that the Senate could not revisit the clause in the manner proposed and insisting that senators should be allowed to vote individually.
His objection sparked loud exchanges across the chamber, with lawmakers openly disputing the admissibility of the motion and warning against setting a precedent that could allow concluded decisions to be easily overturned.
Proceedings were stalled for about 10 minutes as Senate leadership struggled to restore order. Senate President Akpabio repeatedly appealed for calm and urged senators to respect parliamentary procedures.
When order was restored, Akpabio asked Abaribe if he intended to formally press his objection. Sensing the numerical strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Abia lawmaker withdrew his motion, allowing deliberations to continue.
The current composition of the Senate is APC (80), PDP (21), Labour Party (2), NNPP (1), APGA (1) and ADC (1).
Conference committee inaugurated
At the conclusion of plenary, the Senate adopted the Votes and Proceedings as amended, following a motion moved by Senator Diket Plang and seconded by Senator Seriake Dickson.
Akpabio subsequently announced the constitution of a 12-member Conference Committee to harmonise the Senate version of the bill with that of the House of Representatives. He urged the committee to conclude its work within one week to enable presidential assent within the month.
“This is a matter of urgency. If you conclude within one week, the President should be able to sign the bill into law within the month,” he said.
Senator Simon Lalong will chair the committee, with members including Senators Tahir Monguno, Niyi Adegbonmire, Adamu Aliero, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Jubril Isah, Ipalibo Banigo and Peter Nwaebonyi.
Background and reactions
The Senate had earlier rejected a proposal for mandatory real-time transmission of results, opting instead to retain provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which allow INEC to determine the mode of transmission.
That decision triggered protests by civil society organisations and opposition figures, who argued that the absence of a real-time requirement could weaken electoral transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, joined protesters at the National Assembly alongside his son, a medical doctor, to demonstrate against the Senate’s earlier position. Amaechi accused the ruling party of opposing electronic transmission out of fear of electoral defeat and urged opposition parties and civil groups to sustain pressure.
Also reacting, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) warned that alleged alterations to the Electoral Act after passage posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy. The group described any tampering with legislation as dangerous and called for strict respect for the integrity of the lawmaking process.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the Senate’s reconsideration of the contentious provisions was the result of sustained public pressure. The party described the development as a victory for Nigerians but urged continued vigilance until the bill is fully passed, harmonised and signed into law.
According to the ADC, the episode demonstrates that coordinated civic action can compel accountability, but cautioned that the legislative process remains incomplete until presidential assent is secured.
Senate Reconsiders Electoral Act Clause, Approves E-Transmission of Results Without Real-Time Upload
