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Senate clarifies Section 60(3) of Electoral Act Amendment Bill
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Electronic transmission reaffirmed as primary method
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Manual Form EC8 approved as backup during technical failure
The Nigerian Senate has amended its Votes and Proceedings of the February 4 plenary, clarifying its position on Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, following nationwide controversy over the transmission of election results.
The amendment followed a motion moved by the Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, which was subsequently adopted by the Red Chamber.
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Under the revised resolution, the Senate reaffirmed its approval of the electronic transmission of election results from polling units.
However, lawmakers introduced a safeguard to address possible technical or communication failures during elections.
The Senate resolved that where electronic transmission is disrupted, the hard copy of Form EC8, which contains polling unit results, shall serve as the primary source of collation.
The resolution further stated that the form must be properly completed, stamped and signed by the presiding officer, and counter-signed by party agents present at the polling unit.
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The clarification establishes that while electronic transmission remains the preferred mode, manual documentation will serve as a fallback mechanism in cases of technological disruption.
Following the adoption of the motion, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe moved a counter-motion requesting a division, a process that would require individual voting by senators on the provision.
However, after Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked him to formally proceed with the request, Abaribe withdrew the motion.
The amendment comes amid public protests and growing scrutiny, after demonstrators stormed the National Assembly, demanding the retention of real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The Senate’s clarification seeks to address concerns that earlier deliberations could weaken transparency in the electoral process.
With the amendment to the Votes and Proceedings, the Senate maintains that electronic transmission remains part of the law, subject to practical and technical contingencies.
