Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The recent controversy over the proposed amendment to Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 has triggered intense national debate, with the Nigerian Senate defending its position amid criticism from civil society groups, labour unions and opposition figures. At the centre of the dispute is whether the law should explicitly mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing portal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The House of Representatives had earlier adopted language requiring presiding officers to upload results electronically in real time after they are counted and signed at polling units. Supporters of that provision argue it would remove ambiguity and strengthen transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process. However, when the bill came before the Senate for consideration on February 4, 2026, lawmakers voted to remove the specific phrase “real time,” retaining instead the broader provision allowing INEC to determine the method and timing of electronic transmission.
The Senate’s decision prompted widespread reactions. The Nigeria Labour Congress and several civic coalitions expressed concern that removing the “real time” clause could weaken electoral credibility. Some groups warned of possible protests, while others urged lawmakers to reconsider the language before the amendment is finalised. Critics contend that a clear statutory mandate for immediate electronic transmission is essential to prevent manipulation, delays or disputes over results.
Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio rejected claims that the upper chamber had opposed electronic transmission altogether. He stated that the Senate did not eliminate electronic transmission from the law but merely removed the time-bound qualifier. According to him, the intention was to provide INEC with operational flexibility in light of infrastructural challenges such as inconsistent network coverage and unreliable electricity supply in parts of the country. He argued that mandating real-time transmission without addressing these limitations could jeopardise the conduct or completion of elections in affected communities.
Lawmakers aligned with the Senate’s position maintain that over 85 per cent of senators support electronic transmission in principle. They emphasise that the debate is about practicality and implementation rather than a rejection of technological reforms. The concern, they say, is that strict real-time requirements could disenfranchise voters in rural or remote areas where connectivity remains unstable.
Observers note that the legislative process is not yet complete. The Senate has not adopted the final Votes and Proceedings, and the amendment bill will still undergo harmonisation with the version passed by the House of Representatives. A conference committee may reconcile differences between both chambers before the final text is presented for approval. Until these stages are concluded, the wording of Section 60(3) remains subject to further adjustment.
The debate reflects broader tensions between electoral reform advocates seeking stronger legal guarantees of transparency and legislators emphasising procedural caution and infrastructural realities. Nigeria’s 2023 general elections exposed operational gaps in electronic result transmission, prompting renewed calls for clearer statutory provisions. Reform advocates argue that ambiguity in the law contributed to public distrust and litigation after the polls.
Meanwhile, an emergency Senate plenary has been scheduled to address growing public concerns. Political analysts expect lawmakers to clarify their position and possibly revisit aspects of the amendment in light of the national discourse.
As discussions continue, the outcome will shape Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of 2027. The balance between technological innovation, infrastructural capacity and legislative procedure remains central to the evolving debate.
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