In a major legislative turnaround, the Senate on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, amended the Electoral Act to authorize the electronic transmission of election results, while retaining manual safeguards for technical failures.
The upper chamber’s decision involved rescinding its previous rejection of mandatory electronic transmission from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Under the new framework, electronic transmission is established as the primary method, though the phrase “real-time” was notably excluded.
The law now stipulates that in cases where internet connectivity fails, “the Form EC8A will remain the primary instrument for result collation.”
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The motion, sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno, provides a fallback option allowing for the manual transmission of results—using a duly signed and stamped Form EC8A—whenever technical challenges like network issues arise.
Despite the progress, the reliance on manual forms as a primary source during disputes sparked sharp divisions on the floor.
At one point, the tension led Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe to demand an individual vote to put each lawmaker’s stance on the record. However, in a surprising turn, Senator Abaribe later withdrew his request.
Following the withdrawal, the votes and proceedings were adopted, and a 12-member conference committee, chaired by Senator Simon Lalong, was constituted to harmonize the bill with the House of Representatives’ version. Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating the goal is to secure President Tinubu’s assent within the month.
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