Senate Approves Electronic and Manual Transmission of Election Results

By Our Correspondent

The Nigerian Senate has adopted a provision allowing for both electronic and manual transmission of election results, marking an important development in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.

The decision comes after weeks of debate among lawmakers, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders over how results should be transmitted from polling units.

According to the adopted provision, results from polling units are to be transmitted electronically after votes are counted and the relevant result forms are completed and signed.

The move is intended to promote transparency, speed up the collation process, and reduce the risk of manipulation that may occur during delays in the movement of physical results.

The Senate, however, retained manual transmission as an alternative where electronic transmission is not feasible.

In cases of poor network coverage, technical difficulties, or other unforeseen challenges, physical result forms will remain valid for collation. Lawmakers explained that this approach reflects the current infrastructural realities in many parts of the country, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

The decision represents a compromise between advocates of compulsory real-time electronic transmission and those concerned about technological limitations nationwide. Supporters argue that electronic transmission will strengthen the credibility of elections, while others caution that relying solely on technology could disenfranchise voters in areas with limited connectivity.

With the adoption of this provision, the Senate aims to balance innovation with practicality as efforts to reform the electoral system continue.

The amendment is expected to enhance public confidence in the electoral process while ensuring that valid votes are not excluded due to technical challenges.