-
Senate approves electronic transmission of election results
-
Manual collation retained as backup after dramatic division
-
55 senators back proviso, 15 oppose controversial Clause 60
The Senate of Nigeria has approved electronic transmission of election results, while retaining manual collation as a backup in the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2026.
The decision followed a tense plenary session on Tuesday marked by sharp exchanges and a dramatic division on the floor.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
A total of 55 senators voted to retain the controversial proviso in Clause 60, which preserves manual documentation as a fallback in the event of electronic failure.
However, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and 14 other lawmakers opposed the clause.
The red chamber had earlier passed the bill but later rescinded its decision and recommitted it to the Committee of the Whole after fresh concerns were raised.
Tuesday’s sitting was dominated by renewed debate over Clause 60, which addresses the transmission and collation of election results.
Abaribe sought a formal division on the clause upon resumption, triggering a heated and, at times, rowdy session.
READ ALSO: Despite Protest, Reps Adopt Senate’s Version on Electronic Transmission
It would be recalled that the senator had made a similar move during an emergency plenary last week but later withdrew it, a development that attracted criticism both publicly and within the chamber.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, reminded Abaribe of the earlier withdrawal.
“People were mocking you on social media,” Akpabio said, noting that the previous demand had been stepped down.
Opposition senators immediately objected, insisting that the matter was validly before the chamber.
Despite the resistance, the majority vote ensured that electronic transmission remains the primary method, with manual collation preserved as a safeguard where technical failures occur.
