Senate Reverses Course, Approves Electronic Transmission of Election Results

The Senate has approved a proposal to allow the electronic transmission of election results directly from polling units, reversing its position from just days earlier.

This change followed a motion by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, which sought to overturn the chamber's previous decision to retain provisions in the Electoral Act that limited electronic transmission. Last Wednesday, the Senate had effectively blocked real-time electronic transmission.

With the new approval, an amended Clause 60(3) has been passed. It permits the presiding officer at each polling unit to transmit results electronically after the official result form (Form EC8A) is completed and signed.

The approved clause includes a contingency: electronic transmission is mandated where technology is functional and available. However, if transmission fails or is impossible, the physically signed Form EC8A will serve as the primary source of the results.

The passage of the clause sparked debate on the Senate floor. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe initially called for a formal division vote on the matter but withdrew the request shortly afterward.