The Nigerian Senate has passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, following its third reading, but rejected a key proposal that would have made the electronic transmission of election results mandatory.
During the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, lawmakers voted against a proposed amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, which sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit results from polling units. Instead, the Senate retained the existing provision that gives INEC the discretionary power to determine the mode of result transmission, based on the availability and reliability of technology.
Supporters of the rejected amendment had argued that mandatory electronic transmission would enhance transparency, reduce manipulation, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. However, senators opposing the move raised concerns about infrastructure gaps, network coverage challenges, and the risk of technical failures, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
By rejecting the amendment, the Senate maintained that flexibility is necessary to allow INEC adapt to varying conditions across the country during elections. Lawmakers insisted that imposing a rigid technological requirement could unintentionally disenfranchise voters or disrupt the electoral process in areas with limited digital infrastructure.
The passage of the amendment bill, minus the mandatory electronic transmission provision, signals the Senate’s intent to fine-tune Nigeria’s electoral framework while stopping short of enforcing reforms it considers operationally risky. The bill is expected to proceed to the next stage of the legislative process, where it will be reconciled with any positions taken by the House of Representatives.
The decision is likely to reignite public debate, as electronic transmission of results remains one of the most contentious issues in Nigeria’s ongoing push for electoral reform.
