RismadarVoice Reporters
February 10, 2026
The Senate on Tuesday approved a proposal allowing the electronic transmission of election results from polling units, marking a significant shift from its earlier position on the issue.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, which sought to rescind the chamber’s previous rejection of real-time electronic transmission of results.
Last Wednesday, the Senate had retained provisions of the Electoral Act, 2023, which effectively limited the electronic transmission of election results, a move that had attracted public criticism.
With the new resolution, the Senate passed an amended Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act, permitting presiding officers at polling units to electronically transmit election results after Form EC8A has been duly completed and signed.
Under the approved amendment, electronic transmission of results is allowed where the technology is available, functional, and does not fail.
However, in instances where electronic transmission is impossible or encounters technical challenges, the signed Form EC8A will serve as the primary and authoritative record of the election results.
The consideration of the clause generated debate on the floor of the Senate, with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe initially calling for a division on the matter.
He, however, withdrew the request moments later, allowing the chamber to adopt the amendment through a voice vote.
The approval of electronic transmission, alongside the retention of Form EC8A as a fallback mechanism, is seen as a compromise aimed at strengthening transparency in the electoral process while addressing concerns over technological reliability.
The amended clause is expected to form part of broader electoral reforms currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
