iDeemlawfulThe Nigerian Senate has revised its Votes and Proceedings from the Wednesday, February 4 plenary, clarifying its stance on Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, following controversy over the transmission of election results.
The revision came after a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, which was subsequently approved by the Red Chamber.
Earlier reports indicated that protesters had gathered at the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to approve real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Under the updated resolution, the Senate reaffirmed its decision to allow the electronic transmission of election results from polling units.
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However, lawmakers introduced a protective measure to address potential technical challenges.
Under the clarification, where a communication glitch or technical failure prevents successful electronic transmission, the hard copy of Form EC8—containing polling unit results—shall be used as the primary document for collation.
The form must be properly completed, stamped and signed by the presiding officer, and counter-signed by party agents present at the polling unit.
This effectively establishes electronic transmission as the preferred method, while manual documentation via Form EC8 will serve as a fallback where technology fails.
After the motion was adopted, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe introduced a counter-motion seeking a division that would require senators to vote individually on Section 60(3) to clarify their positions.
However, following a directive from Senate President Godswill Akpabio to formally proceed, Abaribe withdrew the motion.
The clarification follows heightened public attention over the Senate’s earlier debates, which triggered nationwide discussions and protests over fears that real-time electronic transmission had been diluted.
With the revised Votes and Proceedings, the Senate maintains that electronic transmission remains embedded in the law, subject to practical contingencies.