Senate Rejects Mandatory Electronic Transmission of Election Results, Upholds PVC Requirement in Electoral Act Review

In a move that has sparked widespread debate and concerns over electoral transparency, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday rejected a key amendment proposing the compulsory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV). This decision came during the plenary session’s consideration of the Bill for an Act to Repeal the Electoral Act No. 13, 2022, and Enact the Electoral Act, 2025, aimed at reforming Nigeria’s electoral processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The rejected proposal, embedded in the new Clause 60(5) of the draft bill (noted as Clause 60(3) in some reports), sought to mandate presiding officers to electronically transmit polling unit results in real time immediately after completing and signing Form EC8A. This measure was designed to enhance transparency, curb electoral malpractices such as result manipulation and ballot box snatching, and integrate technology more robustly into Nigeria’s voting system. Proponents argued that making electronic transmission mandatory would run parallel to manual collation, providing a verifiable digital trail to prevent disputes like those witnessed in the 2023 elections, where glitches in INEC’s system led to controversies and legal battles up to the Supreme Court.

However, the Senate, in a voice vote, opted to retain the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act, which allow presiding officers to manually complete result forms, sign and stamp them, distribute copies to polling agents and security personnel, announce results at the polling unit, and transfer them “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.” This effectively keeps electronic transmission as a discretionary tool under INEC’s control, rather than a legal obligation. The motion to reject the amendment was promptly seconded by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, signaling a swift consensus among lawmakers.

In a related development, the upper chamber also turned down an amendment under Clause 47 that would have permitted voters to use electronically generated voter identification, such as downloadable voter cards with unique QR codes, for accreditation at polling units. Instead, senators voted to maintain the status quo, requiring the presentation of the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as the primary means of voter verification. The Senate further reaffirmed the mandatory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) or any other technological device prescribed by INEC for authentication, rejecting broader digital alternatives.

These decisions come amid growing pressure from civil society organizations (CSOs) and electoral reform advocates, who have accused the Senate of foot-dragging on the bill. As earlier reported by NaijaChoice News in previous coverage of electoral reforms, the Senate has faced criticism for delays, especially as the House of Representatives passed its version of the bill in December 2025. CSOs have expressed fears that prolonged indecision could jeopardize preparations for the 2027 polls, with INEC warning that the timing of amendments might disrupt election schedules. Public reactions on social media and forums have been sharp, with many Nigerians labeling the rejection as a setback for democracy and a sign of lawmakers’ self-interest in preserving loopholes for manipulation.

Background to the reforms traces back to the controversies of the 2023 elections, where electronic transmission was piloted but not fully enforced, leading to calls for stronger legal backing. Senate President Godswill Akpabio had earlier directed a special committee to refine the bill, emphasizing priorities like real-time result transmission and stricter penalties for offenses. Yet, with the Senate’s latest votes, the focus shifts to harmonization between both chambers, where differences—such as the push for mandatory electronic measures—may need resolution before presidential assent.

At the time of filing this report, plenary was still ongoing, with potential for further deliberations.