The Senate was sharply divided on Thursday as 13 frontline opposition senators rejected reports that the upper chamber had thrown out mandatory electronic transmission of election results during the passage of the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026.
Amid public outrage over the reported decision, the senators—led by Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South)—insisted that the Senate had not concluded deliberations on the matter and that a majority of lawmakers support real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The lawmakers were reacting to widespread reports that the Senate rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) of the bill, which seeks to make electronic transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) mandatory.
According to the senators, more than two-thirds of the chamber favour real-time electronic transmission, adding that the Senate is yet to reconvene to formally adopt the votes and proceedings of Wednesday’s plenary.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Abaribe said the briefing was convened to clarify the Senate’s position and reassure Nigerians that the contentious provision would be monitored through to presidential assent.
“To put the record straight, the Senate did not reject electronic transmission of results. What was passed was electronic transmission as contained in the bill, and this will be followed through,” Abaribe said.
He explained that Clause 60(3) of the committee report clearly provides that presiding officers shall electronically transmit results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in real time after Form EC8A has been duly signed and stamped.
Abaribe noted that confusion arose when Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced during clause-by-clause consideration that Clause 60 was adopted “as amended,” leading to reports that mandatory transmission had been dropped.
Other senators at the briefing included Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central), Ireti Kingibe (ADC, FCT), Austin Akobundu (PDP, Abia Central), Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto South), Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North), and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), among others.
Abaribe further disclosed that joint committees of both chambers had agreed during several retreats that electronic transmission of results was critical to credible elections and that the provision was reflected in both House and Senate reports.
Opposition parties, however, criticised the Senate over the reported rejection. In a joint statement, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) warned that abandoning mandatory electronic transmission could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The parties accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to preserve loopholes in the electoral system that could be exploited for manipulation, urging lawmakers to prioritise democratic integrity over partisan interests.
Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, condemned the Senate’s reported action. Obi described the rejection of mandatory electronic transmission as “an unforgivable act of electoral manipulation,” warning that it could erode public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi argued that Nigeria risks lagging behind other African countries that have embraced technology to enhance electoral transparency, stressing that credible elections are essential for national stability and democratic growth.
The controversy now shifts to the conference committee stage, where stakeholders are urging lawmakers to adopt the House of Representatives’ position in favour of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.