Abuja — Proceedings in the Senate descended into a tense and rowdy session on Tuesday as lawmakers revisited and amended key provisions of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, eventually approving electronic transmission of election results—but without making real-time upload mandatory.
The heated debate followed the Senate’s decision to reopen Clause 60(3) of the bill, days after it had rejected a proposal seeking to compel real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
After hours of deliberation, the Senate adopted a revised version of Clause 60(3), which mandates electronic transmission of results only after Form EC8A has been signed and stamped at the polling unit. The amendment also provides that where electronic transmission fails due to network or communication challenges, the manually signed EC8A shall serve as the primary basis for collation and declaration of results.
Notably, the clause stops short of enforcing real-time transmission.
What the amendment provides
The re-amended Clause 60(3) states:
“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.
“Provided that where electronic transmission of results fails as a result of communication failure, 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.”
Monguno moves to rescind earlier decision
The controversy began when Senate President Godswill Akpabio commenced consideration of the Votes and Proceedings of the previous sitting. At item 148, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order under Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, seeking to rescind the chamber’s earlier rejection of electronic transmission.
Monguno said the move was informed by public feedback and the need to align electoral laws with citizens’ expectations.
“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). Moro stressed that electoral laws must undergo the highest level of scrutiny due to their implications for democracy and national stability.
Abaribe calls for division, later withdraws
Tensions escalated when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) invoked Order 72, insisting that the Senate could not revisit the clause in the manner proposed and calling for a division to allow individual votes.
His intervention triggered loud exchanges, with several senators speaking simultaneously and challenging the procedure. Proceedings were stalled for about 10 minutes as the Senate leadership struggled to restore order.
After calm was restored, Senate President Akpabio asked Abaribe whether he wished to proceed formally with his point of order. The Abia lawmaker later withdrew the motion, allowing deliberations to continue.
The Senate eventually adopted the Votes and Proceedings as amended.
Senate sets up conference committee
At the end of plenary, the Senate constituted a 12-member Conference Committee to harmonise its version of the bill with that of the House of Representatives. Akpabio urged the committee to conclude its work within one week to enable President Bola Tinubu assent to the bill this 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, alongside 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.
Protests continue outside National Assembly
Meanwhile, protests against the removal of the “real-time” transmission clause continued at the National Assembly. Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, joined demonstrators alongside his son, a medical doctor, whom he said was present to attend to anyone needing medical care.
Amaechi accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of opposing real-time transmission out of fear of losing elections and urged opposition parties and civil society groups to sustain pressure.
Earlier, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had also joined the protests.
ACF raises alarm, ADC claims victory
Reacting to developments, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) warned that alleged alterations to provisions of the Electoral Act after passage pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and must be resisted.
ACF spokesman, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said any tampering with legislation after approval undermines the integrity of the lawmaking process and democratic governance.
Similarly, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the Senate’s partial reversal as a victory for public pressure, crediting sustained protests and civic engagement. The party, however, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant until the bill is fully harmonised, passed, and signed into law.
While Senate leadership maintains that electronic transmission was never rejected outright, critics insist that the absence of a real-time requirement still leaves room for manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
