Senate Clarifies Stance on Electronic Election Result Transmission, Rejects “Real-Time” Mandate

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has addressed public confusion over the upper chamber’s recent decision on electronic transmission of election results, insisting that the Senate did not reject electronic transmission outright but only removed the requirement for “real-time” uploads.

The clarification comes after the Senate, on February 4, declined a proposal in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 that would have made real-time electronic transmission mandatory. Critics argued that the decision could compromise transparency and the credibility of Nigeria’s elections.

Under the existing Electoral Act 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is permitted to transmit results electronically, but manual collation is still valid. The Senate’s move preserves this framework while providing flexibility for election officials.

Speaking at the Abuja launch of The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria by former Senator Effiong Bob, Akpabio said: “I must state clearly, without ambiguity, that the Senate has not removed any means of transmission.” He explained that removing “real-time” was aimed at avoiding legal disputes caused by technical failures, network issues, or security challenges that could hinder immediate uploads.

Akpabio further emphasized that strict real-time requirements could risk invalidating credible results in areas with poor connectivity or heightened security concerns. The Senate’s decision, he said, allows INEC to determine the most practical method of transmitting results while still enabling electronic processes where feasible.

This clarification seeks to quell concerns that the Senate was moving away from digital modernization of Nigeria’s electoral system, instead framing the amendment as a safeguard for credible and legally sound elections.